With over 2,000 new satellites deployed into low Earth orbit (LEO) annually, collision risks have reached critical thresholds for commercial constellation operators. International space agencies are codifying stricter deorbit timelines.
Propulsion and Retrieval Innovation
Commercial vendors are mandating onboard deorbit propulsion systems for all new deployments. Simultaneously, experimental capture hardware—including magnetic docking plates and drag sails—is entering operational testing phases.