Astroscale to build LEDA spacecraft with BAE Systems, Open Cosmos

The program announcement was filed 28 October 2026, following two prior on-orbit demonstration missions from the firm.

Luisa Marconi

Senior Space Correspondent

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UK firm builds new spacecraft with partners AI illustrationhow this picture was made

LONDON, UK, Oct. 28, 2026 - Astroscale will build, launch and operate the LEDA spacecraft, with BAE Systems and Open Cosmos as key program partners.^[1] Astroscale previously demonstrated close proximity spacecraft operations on the 2021 ELSA-d and 2024 ADRAS-J missions.^[2] In June 2025 the company was awarded a £5.15 million UK defence contract for the Orpheus space domain awareness mission.^[3]

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Astroscale will build, launch and operate the LEDA spacecraft, with BAE Systems and Open Cosmos as key program partners. · Defence Blog
Astroscale previously demonstrated close proximity spacecraft operations on the 2021 ELSA-d and 2024 ADRAS-J missions. · Defence Blog
In June 2025 Astroscale was awarded a £5.15 million UK defence contract for the Orpheus space domain awareness mission. · Defence Blog

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