Orbital Lasers Signs MoU with Infinite Orbits to Collaborate on In-Orbit Services Utilizing Laser Detumbling Technology
Orbital Lasers and France's Infinite Orbits have signed an MoU to integrate laser detumbling technology into in-orbit service spacecraft. The partnership targets the realization of space debris removal solutions by 2029, contributing to space sustainability.
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- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 04:00
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Orbital Lasers Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Tadanori Fukushima; hereinafter "the Company"), a company developing space optical technologies centered on innovative space lasers, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Infinite Orbits S.A.S. (Headquarters: Toulouse, France; hereinafter "Infinite Orbits"), an in-orbit service provider, to consider collaboration toward the realization of in-orbit services utilizing laser-based detumbling (rotation-halting) technology for space debris and other objects.
Through this partnership, by integrating the Company's laser technology into Infinite Orbits' servicing spacecraft, the two companies will proceed with technical, business, and regulatory discussions toward collaboration in in-orbit services, including debris removal, targeting both Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO).
Specifically, the companies will advance coordination in cultivating the market for in-orbit services, making joint proposals for government-backed projects in both countries, examining operational concepts, and making technical adjustments for system integration.
Through these initiatives, the companies ultimately aim to collaborate on in-orbit services with a view toward active debris removal (ADR) of non-cooperative, unmanageable satellites and space debris, as well as de-orbiting end-of-life satellites safely from their orbits.
[Image: From left: French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation Sylvie Retailleau (Note: Philippe Baptiste is CNES President, text says Minister, translating as provided context), Infinite Orbits CEO Adel Haddoud, Orbital Lasers Representative Director CEO Tadanori Fukushima, Director General of National Space Policy Secretariat of Japan Jun Kazeki]
Through this initiative, both companies will contribute to improving the sustainability of the space environment, accelerate joint deployments in the global market, and aim to realize safe and efficient in-orbit services.
■ Comment from Tadanori Fukushima, Representative Director and CEO of Orbital Lasers
"We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Infinite Orbits, a leading player in in-orbit services in Europe. Space debris is one of the critical challenges that must be solved to support future sustainable space utilization, and the advancement of in-orbit services is essential for this purpose. We believe this collaboration represents a major opportunity to realize unprecedented space debris removal solutions by combining our laser technology with Infinite Orbits' in-orbit servicing spacecraft. By leveraging the strengths of both companies, we will contribute to the realization of safer and more sustainable space utilization."
■ Comment from Adel Haddoud, CEO of Infinite Orbits
"Our partnership with Orbital Lasers goes beyond strengthening ties with the Japanese space industry and deepening Japan-France relations; it shapes the future of in-orbit services. It also accelerates the realization of our next-generation in-orbit servicing spacecraft currently under development, with the first unit scheduled for orbit insertion in the second quarter of 2029.
By combining our proximity operations technology with Orbital Lasers' payload technology, we believe we can significantly contribute to building the infrastructure and capabilities necessary for safe and sustainable space operations."
Company Profile of Orbital Lasers Co., Ltd.
Overview: A business company developing compact, highly efficient space laser technology and expanding space businesses including satellite LiDAR and space debris removal operations.
Established: January 2024
Location: 1-8-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Through this partnership, by integrating the Company's laser technology into Infinite Orbits' servicing spacecraft, the two companies will proceed with technical, business, and regulatory discussions toward collaboration in in-orbit services, including debris removal, targeting both Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO).
Specifically, the companies will advance coordination in cultivating the market for in-orbit services, making joint proposals for government-backed projects in both countries, examining operational concepts, and making technical adjustments for system integration.
Through these initiatives, the companies ultimately aim to collaborate on in-orbit services with a view toward active debris removal (ADR) of non-cooperative, unmanageable satellites and space debris, as well as de-orbiting end-of-life satellites safely from their orbits.
[Image: From left: French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation Sylvie Retailleau (Note: Philippe Baptiste is CNES President, text says Minister, translating as provided context), Infinite Orbits CEO Adel Haddoud, Orbital Lasers Representative Director CEO Tadanori Fukushima, Director General of National Space Policy Secretariat of Japan Jun Kazeki]
Through this initiative, both companies will contribute to improving the sustainability of the space environment, accelerate joint deployments in the global market, and aim to realize safe and efficient in-orbit services.
■ Comment from Tadanori Fukushima, Representative Director and CEO of Orbital Lasers
"We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Infinite Orbits, a leading player in in-orbit services in Europe. Space debris is one of the critical challenges that must be solved to support future sustainable space utilization, and the advancement of in-orbit services is essential for this purpose. We believe this collaboration represents a major opportunity to realize unprecedented space debris removal solutions by combining our laser technology with Infinite Orbits' in-orbit servicing spacecraft. By leveraging the strengths of both companies, we will contribute to the realization of safer and more sustainable space utilization."
■ Comment from Adel Haddoud, CEO of Infinite Orbits
"Our partnership with Orbital Lasers goes beyond strengthening ties with the Japanese space industry and deepening Japan-France relations; it shapes the future of in-orbit services. It also accelerates the realization of our next-generation in-orbit servicing spacecraft currently under development, with the first unit scheduled for orbit insertion in the second quarter of 2029.
By combining our proximity operations technology with Orbital Lasers' payload technology, we believe we can significantly contribute to building the infrastructure and capabilities necessary for safe and sustainable space operations."
Company Profile of Orbital Lasers Co., Ltd.
Overview: A business company developing compact, highly efficient space laser technology and expanding space businesses including satellite LiDAR and space debris removal operations.
Established: January 2024
Location: 1-8-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo