# Astroscale Wins UK and French Space Contracts

At an October 16, 2026 briefing, Astroscale reported its first UK defense contract as prime contractor and a French-backed satellite-servicing demonstration to approach, dock with, and deorbit an Eutelsat OneWeb satellite. The combined order backlog for the UK and French projects exceeded ¥5 billion through September 2026. Astroscale is targeting approximately ¥20 billion in additional orders this fiscal year from one government and one commercial project; those orders remain prospective, not awarded. The company also reported ongoing US Space Force and Japan Ministry of Defense programs, including a Japanese prototype targeted for delivery in fiscal 2028.

- The UK award establishes Astroscale as a prime contractor on a defense space contract, while the French-backed demonstration involves a named satellite operator and a cross-company collaboration—relevant context for agencies assessing space servicing capabilities and for suppliers evaluating teaming opportunities.
- The reported ¥5 billion-plus backlog is for the UK and French projects together; the briefing did not provide individual contract values. Companies should distinguish this awarded-work backlog from the approximately ¥20 billion in additional orders Astroscale is pursuing.
- Astroscale’s US Space Force and Japanese Ministry of Defense programs point to activity across multiple government markets. The Japanese prototype’s fiscal 2028 delivery target offers a concrete schedule reference for organizations involved in that program.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 26, 2026

### Government Entities
- UK Ministry of Defence (UK MoD)
- French Government
- United States Space Force (USSF)
- Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD)

### Vendors
- Astroscale Holdings (Prime contractor on its first UK defense contract; participant in the reported French-backed demonstration)
- Exotrail (Collaborator on the French-supported satellite-servicing demonstration)
- Eutelsat OneWeb (Satellite operator whose satellite is the target of the servicing demonstration)
- Emerica (Joint-development participant for a small defense geostationary satellite)

### Key Quotes
> First, it is important to make this demonstration a success, but beyond that there is potential for a recurring refueling business for the US Space Force.
> — Mitsunobu Okada, Chief Executive Officer

### Sources
- [[Business FY2026 Q2 Earnings Briefing] Astroscale Expects Another ¥20 Billion in Orders This Fiscal Year; Wins Defense Contracts in UK and France, TOPIX Inclusion Also Decided — BigGo Finance](https://finance.biggo.com/news/JP_186A.T_2026-10-16) - finance.biggo.com