California startup creates a giant inflatable bag to catch asteroids and space debris

California’s TransAstra is testing an inflatable “Capture Bag”, available in several sizes, designed to snare asteroids for mining, as shown in this artist’s impression. (Image: TransAstra)

An early morning test on the International Space Station has pushed a small California company into sharper focus. TransAstra now hopes its expanding Capture Bag can change how humans approach asteroids and space debris in coming years.

How could the Capture Bag reshape asteroid mining?
CNN reported that TransAstra designed several inflatable Capture Bags. Each bag can hold objects of varied sizes safely. The system aims to collect small rocks or large asteroids. Joel Sercel founded TransAstra after work at Caltech. He said asteroid mining demands four major capabilities together. Detect, capture, move and process are those steps. He called asteroid extraction risky within current engineering limits.

The company tested a prototype aboard the ISS recently. Work has begun on stronger versions with NASA support. Private investors contributed twelve million for early development. NASA and US Space Force added fifteen million. Sercel said targets orbit close to Earth relatively. These objects sit only billions of kilometres from Earth. He said hundreds of candidates are already mapped. The team plans its first capture attempt by 2028. Sercel said success could start wider industry change.

Why does the Capture Bag use a flexible design?
The system works by approaching a chosen object calmly. A spacecraft inflates the bag once near the target. The bag surrounds the asteroid to secure it gently. Engineers note asteroids often have unpredictable structural features. A flexible cover handles uncertain surfaces more safely. The design helps prevent damage during initial contact. It also steadily holds debris with minimal force required.

What other uses could follow beyond asteroid mining?
TransAstra aims to begin mining operations later this decade. The firm says large bags could hold vast asteroids. Some proposed bags could capture ten thousand tonne targets easily. Before this, the bag will tackle space debris removal. Defunct satellites increasingly pose hazards to active spacecraft. Sercel said debris clearing helps reduce orbital risk. It prepares safer paths for future mining missions also. Only three asteroid sample missions succeeded previously worldwide. Those missions cost hundreds of millions for governments alone. TransAstra believes cheaper capture options may widen access. The company hopes its bag system supports safer operations.