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Japan And India Startups Collaborate To Tackle Space Debris With Laser-Equipped Satellites

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

In an ambitious step to address the growing issue of orbital congestion, Japanese startup Orbital Lasers and Indian robotics firm InspeCity announced in December 2024, their plans to study the use of laser-equipped satellites for debris removal. 

Orbital debris, often referred to as space junk, includes all non-functional, human-made objects in Earth’s orbit, such as defunct satellites, rocket fragments, and collision debris. Traveling at speeds of up to 18,000 mph, this debris poses significant risks to operational satellites and spacecraft, including the International Space Station.

The partnership aims to develop an innovative system that uses laser energy to stop the rotation of space junk by vaporizing small surface areas, simplifying the process for servicing spacecraft to capture and de-orbit defunct satellites. Orbital Lasers, a spin-off from Japan’s satellite operator SKY Perfect JSAT, plans to demonstrate the laser system in space by 2027. Meanwhile, InspeCity, founded in 2022, is exploring opportunities to integrate the technology into its satellite platforms, pending regulatory approvals in both countries.

The agreement comes as global organizations raise alarms about the dangers of unchecked orbital debris. A United Nations panel on space traffic coordination recently underscored the need for urgent measures to manage low Earth orbit congestion, citing risks from the increasing volume of satellites and space junk.

This partnership reflects broader trends in Japan-India space collaboration, including their joint Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission set for 2026 and partnerships between Indian firms like Skyroot and HEX20 with Japanese lunar exploration company Ispace. According to Masayasu Ishida, CEO of Tokyo-based nonprofit SPACETIDE, such alliances are aligned with India’s “Make in India” initiative, promoting local production while leveraging Japan’s technological expertise.

As the space industry grows more crowded, the success of projects like this could play a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainability of near-Earth orbit for future generations.

Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.

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