The Orbital Debris Economy Is Becoming a Real Business

Space junk isn't just a hazard — it's a market. In this episode, Lucas and Luna examine the emerging orbital debris removal industry, focusing on the specific case of Astroscale's ELSA-M mission and its $90 million contract from the UK Space Agency. They break down the economics of active debris removal, the regulatory gaps that create both risk and opportunity, and why companies like ClearSpace and NorthStar are racing to turn trash into treasure. Lucas explains the two main business models — removal-as-a-service and debris monitoring — and why insurers are becoming the industry's most important customers. Luna pushes back on the 'space garbage man' analogy, arguing the real money may be in data, not tow trucks. A concrete look at how cleaning up orbit is becoming a real, if early-stage, business. #SpaceDebris #OrbitalCleanup #Astroscale #ClearSpace #NorthStar #ELSA_M #ActiveDebrisRemoval #SpaceJunk #SpaceEconomy #BusinessAndTechnology #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #SpacePolicy #SpaceInsurance #SatelliteCollision #CommercialSpace #InOrbitServicing #Sustainability Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo