DIU Looks to Award Deorbit Demonstration Contract Next Month

The Defense Innovation Unit expects to award a satellite-deorbit demonstration contract in December 2026, advancing its effort to buy commercial disposal services for military spacecraft. The Deorbit as a Service initiative seeks systems able to rendezvous with, capture and remove unprepared or non-functioning satellites without relying on dedicated docking interfaces. DIU and the Space Development Agency previously funded preliminary design and risk-reduction work by D-Orbit, Firefly Aerospace and Katalyst Space. The planned demonstration award concerns proving an on-orbit capability, rather than confirming that a satellite has already been removed or that routine disposal services are operational.