Rendering of an Astroscale docking satellite. Photo: Astroscale

The Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) has awarded Astroscale Japan a contract worth $1 billion yen ($6.4 million) to develop a gripping mechanism for national satellites. Under the contract, Astroscale will develop and perform a ground-based demonstration of the gripping mechanism to grip national security satellites under various on-orbit conditions. 

Japan previously issued Space Domain Defense Guidelines in 2025 to guide the MoD’s efforts to strengthen defense capabilities in the space domain. Astroscale commented that this contract falls under the “Mission Assurance” pillar in the guidelines, which deals with satellite protection capabilities. 

This is Astroscale’s second contract with the MoD, coming after a responsive space award issued last year to develop a prototype small Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellite for space domain awareness. 

“This newly awarded contract for the development of a gripping mechanism … further solidifies our path toward contributing to national security by leveraging our proximity and capture technologies. We will continue to apply the expertise we have developed through our core on-orbit servicing technologies,” commented Eddie Kato, president and managing director of Astroscale Japan.