In-Space Recycling and Reuse of Orbital Assets (ISRROA) is the most financially and ecologically sustainable solution to the problem of orbital debris.

The DEXTER (Debris EXtraction Tools for Extraterrestrial Recycling) project solves 2 key obstacles:

1. lack of adequate tooling for harvesting end of life spacecraft and processing debris, and

2. lack of a propulsion system capable of both high thrust and propellant economy needed for long term Active Debris Removal (ADR).

DEXTER will provide solutions for two viable use cases for recovering orbital material: turning recycled materials into structural elements and propellant.

We will (1) develop and validate in a laboratory environment robotic technology that allows for the harvesting, processing, and repurposing of orbital debris materials into new structural elements to build new infrastructures in space, and (2) explore processes for converting scrap aluminium to propellant and delivering via a prototype refuelling mechanism, and provide a ground-based demonstration of a refuellable thruster.