Japan's BULL wins additional $1.65M grant for space debris device
What's the deal? Japanese startup BULLDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has secured an additional US$2M grant from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to develop its space debris-prevention device. The award comes through the ministry's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 3 programme, under its theme for technology to reduce space debris.
What's the endgame? BULL, based in Utsunomiya, develops "HORN," a Post Mission Disposal device that pulls spent rockets and satellites out of orbit. The membrane-based system spans 50m² — among the largest of its kind — and uses a fan-shaped structure to increase atmospheric drag and accelerate de-orbiting.
Why now? The funding follows a stage-gate review and runs through the end of March 2027. BULL completed its first orbital demonstration in June 2026 aboard the H3 rocket's sixth flight, capturing optical footage of the craft's descent and membrane deployment.
What's the money for? BULL will use the grant to speed up orbital testing and build capacity for commercial deployment, including mass production and in-house manufacturing.
Chief executive officer Kyoji Uto called the award recognition of the company's progress. "We will accelerate additional orbital demonstrations and mass production and in-house manufacturing toward social implementation," he said (translated from Japanese).
The signal: Founded in November 2022, BULL is betting that preventing new debris — rather than removing existing junk — becomes a core service as orbital traffic grows. The modest grant sits in the lower-middle range of funding rounds, but it signals state backing for Japan's push to commercialise space-sustainability technology.
Read more: prtimes.jp
Image credit: kees scherer
