Altius DogTag Grappling System Marks 100th Launch

The 100th Altius DogTag grapple fixture has been launched aboard a OneWeb satellite. This is the third of many planned launches for Altius' DogTags, as the company is slated to produce grapple fixtures for all of OneWeb's remaining satellites in its planned constellation.

"In a few short months, the Altius team has gone from the first launch of our DogTag to the hundredth. This is no small achievement, and I can't help but be excited about the potential impact our DogTags can have on the industry as a whole."

Jonathan Goff, CEO and founder of Altius Space Machines.

Altius Space Systems' partnership with OneWeb is part of OneWeb's larger initiative focused on responsible actions in space. The satellite communications company is committed to "leaving no trace in space" and is partnering with companies like Altius as part of its advocacy efforts for space environmental stewardship to aid in orbital debris management. The satellites are manufactured by Airbus OneWeb Satellites in a state-of-the-art factory located in Merritt Island, FL.

Satellite servicing is a crucial component of future space exploration, enabling streamlined upgrades, repairs and life extension. Being able to conduct routine work while in orbit also has the potential to help mitigate the growing threat of space debris, both by limiting the growth of new and removing existing orbital debris. The Altius DogTag addresses this problem by making it easier to deorbit non-functioning satellites, while they can also be used to tug functional satellites to new orbits, act as an anchor point for satellite servicing, and capture and stow various payloads.

"In a few short months, the Altius team has gone from the first launch of our DogTag to the hundredth," said Jonathan Goff, CEO and founder of Altius Space Machines. "This is no small achievement, and I can't help but be excited about the potential impact our DogTags can have on the industry as a whole."

Altius Space Systems is a subsidiary of Voyager Space Holdings Inc. "It's always been our hope that our subsidiaries continue to flourish with Voyager's support, and Altius is a shining example of this becoming realized," said Matt Kuta, president and CEO, Voyager Space Holdings. "I'm incredibly proud of the Altius team today, and can't wait to see where their innovation takes us next."

(Source: Voyager Space Holdings news release. Image from file)