TLDR:
- Ukrainian startup Kurs Orbital raised €3.7M to build and fly a prototype docking port for in-space servicing and debris removal missions.
- Funding came from OTB Ventures, Galaxia, and In-Q-Tel. The company plans to have a prototype ready to fly by the end of 2025.
Article Summary:
Ukrainian startup Kurs Orbital has secured €3.7M in funding to develop and launch a prototype docking port for in-space servicing and debris removal missions. The company was born out of the Kiev Radio Factory and is now working on building new products for western customers based on the Kurs legacy after collaborations with Russia ended. The funding comes from OTB Ventures, Galaxia, and In-Q-Tel, which will be used to develop a docking port ready for flight by the end of 2025. Kurs Orbital’s rendezvous and docking module is designed for autonomous operations using radar and laser range-finding sensors.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kurs Orbital partially moved its operations to Turin, Italy, and joined the European Space Agency’s Business Incubation Center. The company’s standardized architecture allows for scalability, making it suitable for various sizes of satellites in different orbits. Kurs Orbital is a member of the CONFERS consortium and collaborates with other companies working on in-space capabilities like ClearSpace and Orbit Fab.
The company has yet to decide which satellite will host its demo mission but does not plan to seek additional funding until after the test flight. The success of Kurs Orbital’s prototype could pave the way for future in-space servicing and debris removal missions, contributing to advancements in space technology and sustainability.
