Description: The increasing accumulation of orbital debris has become a critical challenge for space operations and economic development of space, posing a significant threat to the safety and sustainability of the space environment. To address this issue, TransAstra proposes to advance the design, testing, and commercialization of its cutting-edge Apis Capture Bag technology. The Apis Capture Bag is derived from technology originally envisioned for the Asteroid Redirect Mission. It utilizes inflatable booms to deploy a rip-stop bag around the target debris. The bag fully seals before making contact with the target and then retracts to secure the debris safely. This scalable, adaptable, and efficient debris capture and containment system is uniquely designed to tackle a wide range of debris removal missions, from small satellites to large spent rocket bodies. The proposed program encompasses five key Task Areas, focused on addressing the specific technical objectives of rotational dynamics management, capture bag scalability, multi-target confinement, architectural modeling, and space-qualified payload maturation.

Benefits: Potential NASA Applications: Primary applications are orbital debris removal, supporting mission safety and preserving the space environment for future exploration endeavors. Additional NASA applications would be servicing, repair, or refueling missions for current NASA spacecraft, enhancing operational capabilities and extending mission lifetimes. Potential Non-NASA Applications: The Apis Capture Bag provides commercial satellite operators with a robust debris removal solution, ensuring compliance with their disposal plans. Furthermore, the capture bag system can be employed for in-orbit servicing missions, supporting satellite life extension, maintenance, and refueling operations.