Private company wants to clean up space junk with 'capture bags' in Earth orbit

An illustration of Earth orbit overcrowded with space junk and orbital debris.

NASA's latest space debris technology contract involves a bag that could one day snatch pieces flying in orbit.

NASA recently awarded a space logistics startup, called TransAstra, an $850,000 early-stage contract for a bag that could inflate after it flies into orbit. This is not a space debris mission for flight, however, as the company will be tasked by testing this technology on the ground using inflatable struts. The contract award was reported by SpaceNews.