The orbital environment is a shared resource. We help keep it usable.
ORC provides end-to-end retrieval, repositioning and responsible deorbit of defunct satellites and orbital debris. We work across LEO, MEO and GEO, subject to manifest availability and the continuing cooperation of certain regulatory bodies. Licensed. Insured. Operational since 2011.
Standard Retrieval
Single-object retrieval up to medium payload class. Includes conjunction analysis, capture, repositioning and re-entry or graveyard transfer per client specification. The object will be dealt with. Professionally.
Express Retrieval
Expedited single-object retrieval for when the standard timeline is, shall we say, suboptimal. Subject to vehicle availability. Surcharge applies. We do not judge. We have seen the TLE data. We understand.
Bulk Clearance
Multi-object recovery from a defined orbital shell. Suitable for constellation retirement, post-fragmentation cleanup, and situations we are contractually unable to describe in more specific terms.
Responsible Deorbit & Disposal
Controlled deorbit, atmospheric re-entry over uninhabited zones, or transfer to a recognised graveyard orbit. The word “responsible” in the name is doing some work. We take it seriously.
Operational since 2011
Fifteen years of continuous commercial operations. We were doing this before there was a market for it, and — in 2011 — before it was entirely clear it was legal. It is now. We have the paperwork.
Fully licensed and insured
Licensed by the Orbital Regulatory Secretariat. £250m third-party indemnity. The indemnity has never been claimed. We mention this every year at the renewal. Our broker finds it less reassuring each time.
Conjunction analysis on every mission
Independent CA performed by our in-house astrodynamics team. We have never caused a secondary collision event. We consider this our primary achievement and celebrate it quietly every December.
ORS 4401 certified
Orbital safety management system audited annually by an external body. Full chain-of-custody documentation for every recovered object, including the awkward ones. Especially the awkward ones.
Compliant with current guidelines
All operations conducted in accordance with COSRAT orbital remediation guidelines and applicable national space law. Where applicable national space law is ambiguous, we have obtained written guidance. Twice.
Direct line to the engineer
Your account is handled by a named operations lead. Not a portal. Not a chatbot. Their mobile number, during the mission. They will pick up. Even at 3am. This has happened more than once and we have stopped pretending otherwise.
We engaged ORC following the failure of a communications satellite in our GEO arc. The retrieval was completed within the agreed timeline and within budget. Their team was professional throughout and kept us informed at each stage. We have since retained them for ongoing monitoring services. We have not told them what we are monitoring. They have not asked. This arrangement suits everyone.
ORC handled the disposal of two end-of-life satellites from our LEO constellation. The work was completed within the agreed window. Documentation was thorough. Pricing was as quoted. We would use them again. We are aware this is a low bar. We have used twelve other providers. ORC clears it more reliably than most.
Found ORC via a recommendation from a colleague. Asked for a quote on a tricky retrieval at an awkward inclination. Quote was reasonable. Mission was carried out competently. No complaints. I was told to write more than this. I have nothing more to add. The object was retrieved. That was the requirement.
Client sectors served
- NATIONAL SPACE AGENCIES6
- COMMERCIAL OPERATORS22
- DEFENCE PRIMES4
- RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS9
- INSURANCE UNDERWRITERS3
- OTHER (UNDISCLOSED)2
Got something up there
you’d like brought down?
We aim to respond to all enquiries within two working days. Longer if it is something we need to think carefully about before replying. You will know which kind it is.