TransAstra Pioneers Asteroid Capture and Space Debris Removal with Innovative Technology

Los Angeles-based aerospace company TransAstra is developing technologies critical to unlocking the potential of the space economy, with a core mission focused on asteroid mining and orbital debris remediation. The company’s approach centers around four key capabilities: detection, capture, movement, and processing of objects in space.

Capture Bag Technology Demonstrated on the ISS

In October 2025, TransAstra successfully deployed its “Capture Bag” technology on the International Space Station (ISS). This flight demonstration validates a system designed for both orbital debris cleanup and responsible space operations, with support from NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and private investors.

The Capture Bag is a lightweight and scalable system engineered to envelop a range of space objects, including defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and even asteroids. The initial ISS test involved a 3-foot (1-meter) prototype that opened and closed flawlessly in the vacuum of space.

New Moon Initiative: Scaling Up for Asteroid Mining

TransAstra is developing a larger version of the Capture Bag, measuring approximately 33 feet (10 meters) in diameter. This expanded capability will enable the capture of larger spacecraft and components for de-orbiting, recycling, or repurposing.

Under the company’s “New Moon” initiative, this larger bag will also be capable of capturing small asteroids. Enclosing asteroids will allow for the establishment of resource hubs for mining operations in space, providing access to water, metals, shielding, and semiconductors.

Addressing the Growing Problem of Space Debris

The need for effective space debris removal is increasingly urgent. Tens of thousands of debris fragments currently orbit Earth, traveling at speeds up to 50 times faster than a bullet. Even small debris, like paint chips, can cause catastrophic damage to spacecraft. Experts warn that a single major collision could trigger a cascading effect – known as the Kessler Syndrome – that would cripple satellite operations and endanger human space missions.

TransAstra’s Patented Technology and Future Plans

TransAstra has secured seven new patents in 2025 related to in-space manufacturing and orbital debris remediation. According to Joel Sercel, TransAstra’s founder and CEO, the company is “tackling the problem of space debris head-on and gearing up for an asteroid resource capture mission in the exceptionally near future.”