A California-based startup, TransAstra, is developing an inflatable Capture Bag to trap asteroids or orbital debris. The technology aims to support future space mining and reduce mission costs by extracting useful materials directly in space.

• BulletsIn

•  Capture Bag traps small asteroids and debris in orbit
•  Supports future space mining for water, gases, metals
•  Optical mining uses focused sunlight to extract material
•  No heavy machinery needed; heating releases resources
•  Extracted water can become rocket fuel via electrolysis
•  In-space fuel cuts deep-space mission costs
•  Tech helps remove man-made space debris
•  TransAstra developing multiple bag sizes, including 10-meter
•  AstroForge also exploring asteroid metal extraction
•  Environmental, legal concerns remain for large-scale mining