Making space for tomorrow

RobOcto

RobOcto is a student team, founded at the University of Twente, dedicated to the innovation of space debris removal mechanisms.
During the 2026 ESA Academy Experiments Programme, RobOcto was one of the two teams in Europe selected to continue developing their final design with support from the ESA.

The Problem

With over 128 million confirmed fragmentation and space debris collision events from the ESA, space debris collection is an established issue.

A well-known theory, the Kessler syndrome, further states that space debris infinitely increases due to a chain reaction.

Our goal is to develop a device to reduce space debris and provide a cleaner space via newer, experimental methods, while incorporating sustainable goals and inspire future generations.

Courtesy of the ESA

Our Concept

Our concept revolves around a bio-inspired, compliant capture mechanism specifically for non-cooperative space debris removal. The success of the device will be measured by capture success rate, time to attachment and residual target rotation after contact.

Then end-goal is therefore to address the gaps in current rigid-body captrure systems and provide soft robotic servicing data.

The experiment will then be finalised and done in the ESA's REACSA/ORLaboratory with available electromagnets and sensors.