A Giant Inflatable Bag Could Catch Asteroids and Space Junk

High above Earth, beyond the calm blue of our atmosphere, orbits a growing problem: trash. Thousands of pieces of defunct satellites, rocket parts, and metallic shards are hurtling through space at over 27,000 km/h, threatening active spacecraft, astronauts, and even the International Space Station. But now, an idea that sounds straight out of science fiction might hold the key to cleaning it all up — a giant inflatable bag designed to capture space debris and even small asteroids.

California-based TransAstra is testing an inflatable “Capture Bag”that comes in different sizes and is intended to catch asteroids for mining, as shown in this artist’s concept. TransAstra /

The Growing Problem Above Our Heads

Since the dawn of the Space Age, humans have left behind more than footprints on the Moon. According to NASA, there are already tens of thousands of objects larger than 10 cm orbiting Earth — each one capable of causing catastrophic damage if it collides with another object. And the smaller fragments? They’re in the millions.

Scientists have long warned of the Kessler Syndrome, a nightmare scenario where collisions between debris create even more debris, eventually making low Earth orbit unusable. With private companies launching satellites at record speed, the race to find a cleanup solution has become urgent.

The Inflatable “Capture Bag”

Enter the TransAstra Corporation, a California-based aerospace company developing what it calls the Capture Bag — an inflatable system that can envelop and secure debris in orbit.

Here’s how it works: a spacecraft, nicknamed the Worker Bee, approaches its target — whether a dead satellite or a stray piece of rocket — and deploys the large inflatable bag. Once the object is safely inside, the bag seals shut, allowing the spacecraft to tow it to a disposal orbit or toward Earth’s atmosphere, where it can safely burn up.

“The beauty of this technology is that we can capture almost anything that fits inside the bag — even small asteroids,” explains Thibaud Talon, TransAstra’s chief engineer.

NASA seems to agree. The agency has already supported the project with nearly $850,000 in funding through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program — a strong endorsement for a concept that could reshape orbital maintenance.

Why It’s Brilliant

The Capture Bag is both deceptively simple and remarkably sophisticated. Unlike rigid robotic arms or nets, the inflatable design is lightweight, adaptable, and cost-efficient. It can adjust to various shapes and sizes — from small satellites to larger rocket bodies — without the need for multiple specialized mechanisms.

Perhaps most importantly, this technology could also be used to capture asteroids for study or resource mining. What started as a space cleanup tool could become a key asset in the coming era of asteroid exploration.

Challenges on the Horizon

But as elegant as the idea sounds, space is never simple. The challenges ahead include:

• Controlling the inflation and stability of the bag in microgravity.

• Ensuring safe contact with fast-moving, rotating debris.

• Finding sustainable ways to deorbit captured material without creating new fragments.

• Scaling up the technology to handle larger objects or long-term missions.

Even with these hurdles, TransAstra has already begun preparing for orbital demonstrations in the coming years — tests that could prove whether this inflatable bag is truly ready for prime time.

Why It Matters

The implications reach far beyond the engineering challenge. Space debris isn’t just a NASA problem; it’s a global one. Modern communication systems, GPS networks, climate observation satellites — all depend on a safe and accessible orbital environment.

If left unchecked, debris could jeopardize not just scientific exploration, but entire industries and future missions to the Moon and Mars. As TransAstra CEO Joel Sercel puts it, “If we want humanity to thrive in space, we first have to clean up the neighborhood.”

The Future of Space Cleanup

Over the next few years, we can expect:

• Orbital tests of the Capture Bag aboard the International Space Station or independent spacecraft.

• Larger-scale prototypes, capable of capturing heavier debris and small asteroids.

• Partnerships with international agencies to establish a global cleanup initiative.

• A shift toward space recycling, transforming debris into raw material for future missions.

Cleaning the Final Frontier

When we gaze at the night sky, we see beauty — but hidden among the stars is a reflection of our neglect. The TransAstra Capture Bag may look like a simple piece of technology, but its purpose is monumental: to reclaim space before it becomes unusable.

If successful, it won’t just catch space junk — it will catch humanity’s second chance to treat space as the shared frontier it was always meant to be.