Astroscale Holdings Inc., a leader in orbital servicing and satellite sustainability, has entered into a three-year memorandum of understanding with High Earth Orbit Robotics (HEO) aimed at elevating space domain awareness (SDA) across allied nations.
The agreement expands a prior collaboration, pushing beyond low Earth orbit to encompass geostationary and geostationary transfer orbits—key operating zones for government and defense satellites. Under the arrangement, Astroscale and HEO will work together to strengthen capabilities for inspecting, characterizing, and cataloging orbital objects, laying the groundwork for future on-orbit servicing missions.
Astroscale frames this partnership as a bridge between monitoring and managing orbital risks—one that supports interoperable data sharing and coordinated action to maintain orbital safety. In particular, the company emphasized that integrating HEO’s non-Earth imaging and SDA technologies supports a comprehensive, multi-orbit approach.
Mike Lindsay, Chief Technology Officer at Astroscale, noted that the memorandum helps reinforce resilience in space systems used by allies. He said that ensuring a sustainable orbital environment demands both accurate monitoring and the ability to act on evolving threats or debris.
From HEO’s side, co-founder and CTO Hiranya Jayakody observed that the agreement builds on existing collaboration, projecting that their NEI (non-Earth imaging) expertise will help manage orbital challenges more sustainably. He remarked that the transition into new orbital regimes is vital for supporting allied operations through persistent surveillance and risk mitigation.
The deal dovetails with Astroscale’s broader defense and SDA ambitions. According to the announcement, Astroscale Japan recently secured a contract from Japan’s Ministry of Defense to develop a responsive space system prototype—demonstrating the firm’s role in both national and international space security initiatives.
In summary, this enhanced collaboration between Astroscale and HEO positions both firms to deliver advanced capabilities for allied nations, reinforcing monitoring, risk assessment, and orbital servicing potential across multiple orbital domains.
