Robot model
ELSA-d
Servicer+client debris-removal demonstrator (175 kg servicer) testing autonomous rendezvous and magnetic capture.
- Manufacturer
- Astroscale
- Form factor
- space
- Maturity
- pilot
- Lifecycle
- superseded
- Deployments
- 1
- Website
- astroscale.com ↗
The verified answer
As of Sep 2026, DEPLOY verifies ELSA-d, a space by Astroscale (pilot): 1 verified deployment on record. 2 sources back the record.
supersededSuperseded by a newer generation. The historical entry remains for reference; current coverage tracks the successor.
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Track ELSA-d on Deploy.
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Key facts
Type
Specs
Role
Autonomy
Data & sources
Web sources
2
2 sources backing this record.View all →
Pricing
No verified price is on record for ELSA-d. Physical-AI systems are often sold through enterprise contracts or operated as a service rather than at a public list price.
Deployments (1)
ELSA-d is a debris removal demonstration mission in low Earth orbit operated by Astroscale.
ELSA-d on the deployment map
View the global mapWhere ELSA-d is verified operating. Explore the deployment map by place and type.
Recent activity
Every change to this record is dated, sourced, and independently verified where marked.
- Verified media addedVerifiedJun 6, 2026
Astroscale ELSA-d concept of operations
- Record createdJun 5, 2026
Added to the verified registry
- Deployment verifiedVerifiedMar 22, 2021
at Low Earth Orbit
Deployment-verified media (1)
Astroscale's concept-of-operations explainer (an animation) for its ELSA-d debris-removal demonstration, which used a magnetic capture system. In the actual 2021 demo, a thruster anomaly led to the planned final autonomous capture being aborted, a partial result, not a clean success.
From deployment: Low Earth Orbit
Safety record
No incidents on record for ELSA-d.
Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.
Sources (2)
Common questions
What is ELSA-d?
How much does ELSA-d cost?
Is ELSA-d actually deployed in the real world?
Who makes ELSA-d?
Where is ELSA-d deployed?
Can you buy ELSA-d?
What are alternatives to ELSA-d?
How does ELSA-d compare to Chang'e Lander?
Is ELSA-d a top space?
What is ELSA-d's maturity stage?
Is ELSA-d still being made?
Is ELSA-d safe?
Methodology: Verified · 2 sources (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-07-12
Verification posture
Verified
Low confidence
Review state
Stable
Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Maturity + lifecycle
Maturity stage: pilot
Lifecycle: superseded
Architectural position
Cohort: space
Sources by quality tier
- 2
- unclassified
- Unclassified source
The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.
Methodology surface for ELSA-d.Recent coverage
ELSA-d in third-party press
In the press
Recent coverage mentioning ELSA-d from third-party publications. Automatically surfaced; not part of the verified registry record.
Machine-readable surfaces
- Markdown mirror: /models/astroscale-elsa-d.md
- JSON-LD: embedded in this page’s head
- REST API: /v1/models/a849db2b-3190-4914-90e7-7090453e9683
- Revision history: /models/astroscale-elsa-d/history
- Data documentation: /data
- Query this programmatically: Deploy MCP
Reality vs attention
ELSA-d draws attention at the 4th percentile but verifies reality at the 18th percentile among space robots. Hype Gap -13.6, 26th widest among space robots.
6-month trend
Analysis
Limited independent press and video coverage to date.
Dimension breakdown
Verified signal
Attention (reach, not merit)
DEPLOY Intelligence scores are computed from verified registry data: confirmed deployments, disclosed funding rounds, regulatory filings, active job listings, video viewership, and press coverage. Confidence ratings reflect data availability. Scores update nightly.
DEPLOY Indices — verified vs claimed
Last computed: Sep 5, 2026