TOKYO, Mar 13 (Pulse News Wire) – TODA CORPORATION (186A.T) announced today that its UK subsidiary, Astroscale Ltd, signed a launch contract with European aerospace firm Isar Aerospace SE for the ELSA-M mission aimed at removing decommissioned satellites from orbit. The agreement was finalized on March 12, 2026 (British time).
The ELSA-M mission, scheduled for the fiscal year ending April 2028, involves deploying satellites equipped with interfaces enabling capture and removal operations. It represents the world's first End-of-Life (EOL) service mission designed specifically for satellite disposal. Supported by the Sunrise program, a partnership between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Eutelsat, the project is co-funded by the UK Space Agency, with ASTUK contributing more than half of the total investment. The Sunrise program is part of ESA’s ARTES initiative, which focuses on developing solutions for next-generation communication satellite missions. Isar Aerospace, established in 2018, specializes in providing affordable launch services tailored to small and medium-sized satellites and constellations.
Its Spectrum rocket can deliver up to 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO). Designed for vertical integration, Spectrum offers high flexibility and quality control, making it suitable for various applications such as technology validation for satellite constellations and EOL services. Prior to launching ELSA-M, multiple launches are planned, further enhancing reliability expectations. Using the Spectrum rocket aligns with Europe's strategy to establish independent space technologies and expand access to space. The contract amount for Phase 4 of the ELSA-M mission remains unchanged at €¥13.95 million (approximately ¥2.560 billion), based on the exchange rate as of March 13, 2026 (€1 = ¥183.70).
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