BULL Inc. Successfully Demonstrates On-Orbit Space Debris Prevention Device "HORN"

BULL Inc. (Headquarters: Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, Founder & CEO: Kyoshi Uto, hereinafter "BULL"), a company engaged in space debris countermeasures, announced today that it has achieved its first on-orbit demonstration success for its Post-Mission Disposal (PMD) device "HORN". The demonstration involved the HORN-L and HORN-R experimental units, launched on the H3 rocket No. 6 on June 12, 2026. The success was confirmed through observation of orbital decay based on TLE data* and optical imaging of the deployed membrane.

* TLE (Two-Line Element set) is a data format that expresses the orbital information of artificial satellites and other objects in space.

Success Criteria and Results of This Demonstration

BULL defined the evaluation metrics for this demonstration as follows and proceeded with the assessment and verification of its achievements. Based on the on-orbit demonstration results, the following "Minimum Success" and "Full Success" have been confirmed to date:

1. Minimum Success: Confirmation of Superior Orbital Decay Speed [Achieved]

Criterion: To confirm that the orbital decay speed of the HORN-equipped unit is faster than that of other satellites of similar size, based on orbital data (TLE).

Result: It was confirmed that the orbital decay speed of HORN-L and HORN-R is significantly faster compared to a similarly sized comparative satellite (VERTECS*). This confirms that the device deployed as designed and is fulfilling its orbital decay function.

2. Full Success: Confirmation and Estimation of On-Orbit Deployment Status [Achieved]

Criterion: To be able to estimate and confirm the deployment status (shape and area) of HORN through observation.

Result: Optical images of both HORN-L and HORN-R were successfully acquired by a satellite from HEO, a company providing on-orbit imaging services. The images confirmed that the membrane areas, as designed (HORN-L: approx. 20 sq. meters, HORN-R: approx. 10 sq. meters), were deployed in orbit.

We have demonstrated through both data and captured images that our device functions as planned in orbit, accelerating orbital departure.

* An artificial satellite launched on the H3 rocket No. 6 simultaneously with HORN-L and HORN-R.

VERTECS Official Website: https://vertecs-project.com/ja/home-jp/

Achievements of On-Orbit Demonstration

| Comparison Graph of Altitude Transition (TLE data provided by LeoLabs)

As shown in the graph below, compared to the comparative satellite VERTECS (gray), the central HORN-R (light blue) and HORN-L (pink) have rapidly decreased in orbital altitude immediately after membrane deployment, confirming the improved orbital decay capability due to membrane deployment.

Altitude Transition of Each Satellite

| Optical Imaging in Orbit (Photography and 3D model provided by HEO, TLE* data cooperation by LeoLabs)

▼ HORN-L

HORN-L: Photograph taken in orbit HORN-L: Deployment image of the device (3D model)

▼ HORN-R

HORN-R: Photograph taken in orbit HORN-R: Deployment image of the device (3D model)

Background: About HORN and On-Orbit Demonstration

The Post-Mission Disposal (PMD) device "HORN" is designed to rapidly de-orbit retired artificial satellites and rocket upper stages, aiming to mitigate space debris. As a membrane deployment type device for space debris countermeasures, it boasts one of the world's largest areas (50 sq. meters). Its fan-shaped deployed membrane structure increases atmospheric drag, thereby accelerating the orbital departure of the object. For this demonstration, considering the orbital lifespan of the experimental units, the verification of membrane area and orbital decay speed was also conducted. Therefore, while possessing a total deployment capability equivalent to 50 sq. meters, the individual membrane areas were set to approximately 20 sq. meters for HORN-L and approximately 10 sq. meters for HORN-R.

On June 12, 2026, BULL launched two experimental units of "HORN" (HORN-L and HORN-R) aboard the H3 rocket No. 6 from Tanegashima Space Center, initiating its first on-orbit demonstration. For the observation and verification of the demonstration results, BULL collaborated with LeoLabs for ground-based radar observation and HEO for on-orbit optical imaging. Within a short period of just half a month from launch, altitude transition data and captured images were acquired.

Collaborating Companies:

LeoLabs Official Website: https://leolabs.space/

HEO Official Website: https://www.heospace.com/

Future Outlook

BULL will continue to conduct detailed analysis of the membrane deployment status of "HORN" and evaluate its orbital departure performance. We will provide further updates upon obtaining definitive results. The success of this demonstration is considered a significant advancement in our product development for solving the space debris problem, and we will accelerate our commercial deployment.

Comment from BULL Representative: Founder & CEO Kyoshi Uto

BULL Representative Kyoshi Uto

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved in this demonstration. Achieving full success has proven that the core technology of the space debris prevention (PMD) devices developed by BULL is extremely effective in space. Moving forward, we plan to further refine our attitude and orbit simulation models based on the on-orbit data obtained from this demonstration. We will work together as a BULL team to strongly accelerate the social implementation and commercial deployment of our products, aiming to deliver the necessary devices for future space development to the global market as quickly as possible.

About BULL Inc.

BULL Inc. is a startup company with the vision of making interplanetary travel "a given" and aims to provide affordable and simple space utilization services by leveraging re-entry technology to celestial bodies. Based in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, the company promotes business through industry-academia-government collaboration. We contribute to SDGs in the new era of space development by developing devices to prevent the generation of space debris and by developing microgravity experiment satellites and devices for orbital utilization.

Photo: 3rd Anniversary Commemorative Photo (at BULL's Hiraide Base)

Company Name: BULL Inc.

Headquarters: 43-103 Hiraide Industrial Park, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture

Representative: Representative Director / CEO Kyoshi Uto

Established: November 2022

Business Activities: Space debris countermeasures, orbital utilization related businesses

URL: https://bull-space.com/

* The headquarters address was changed on June 1, 2026. The new headquarters address is "43-103 Hiraide Industrial Park, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture."