ExLabs (Exploration Laboratories)

ExLabs is a pioneering aerospace company dedicated to revolutionizing space exploration and resource utilization.

Created: 2023-07-14

Updated: 2024-07-28

Founded
Country
2023
USA
Funding
$1.7M+
Website
https://www.exlabs.space/
Social
ExLabs (Exploration Laboratories)

Product/Service - Arachne Platform, Space Exploration and Resource Vehicle (SERV)

Classification
In-Space Transportation
Category
Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Space Mining
ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)
Fields
Asteroids
Status
Development
First launch
2025

“We’re developing technology for object capture and control,” Schmidgall told the Business Journal. “Initial utilization for that … is cleaning up space debris. Our long-term goal is to scale that technology to deep space resource acquisition.”

The vehicle itself will be a base satellite bus designed by ExLabs, which will have standard guidance, navigation and control systems. The robotic claw will sit on top of the vehicle as a payload, Schmidgall said. When the system approaches an object in space, the claw will wrap around it, allowing thrusters to guide it into a new orbit.

The company plans to move into prototype development by the end of the year. The company expects to send components into space for testing in early 2025, with the first debris capture mission sometime in 2027.

ExLabs mission is to capture and redirect Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) into a stable orbit, enabling access to essential resources, to unlock the vast resources of space for human sustainability. With our cutting-edge technologies, we are enabling rendezvous, docking, and transportation of asteroids and other objects, creating the essential supply chain links that support long-term success for companies, agencies, and their missions. 

Our aim is to fulfill humanity's innate desire to explore and innovate, to protect our planet's environment, by forging the path that creates a true net-zero world, recognizing the limitations of Earth's finite resources. By elevating awareness and increasing collaborations, we create greater opportunities for success, making a positive impact on our planet for future generations.

Our team at ExLabs is responding through the development of one of the largest space vehicles in history. Our focus will be the capture, control and de-orbit of the largest and most dangerous space debris.

ExLabs plans mission to rendezvous with asteroid Apophis, SpaceNews, 2024-03-25.

ExLabs wins funds to accelerate space robotics, SpaceNews, 2024-06-18.

Similar Organizations

Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Traffic Management, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Resources - Space Debris Utilization, Transport Service (Earth-LEO)

Aldoria (Share My Space)

Active, Concept

Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station

Astroscale

Development

Square Rocket

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Microgravity Workspaces, Space Tug, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Bradford Space (Deep Space Industries)

Development

ClearSpace-1

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Tug

ClearSpace

Development

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Tug, Orbital Transportation

Dark

Development

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

EOS Space Systems

Development

Carousel Spacelab

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Microgravity Flight Service (LEO), Microgravity Science

Exodus Space Systems

Early stage, ?

KLNR-LEO

Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Future Space Industries

Dormant

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Resources - Space Debris Utilization

Glycan Space (Group)

Concept

SPRINT, SPEAR

Resources - Energy, Nuclear Radioisotope Power, Solar Thermal Propulsion, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Howe Industries

Concept

Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing

iMetalX

Development

VEDA (Vehicle for life-Extension and Deorbiting Activities), RIG (Robotic Insert for satellite Guidance)

On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Commercial Space Station, Satellite Life Extension

InspeCity

Development

PRISM

Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Ironstar Engineering (PRISM)

Early stage

REACCH

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Resources - Space Debris Utilization

Kall Morris Inc (KMI)

Development

SpaceDREAM

Robotic Arm, Hardware, In-Space Assembly, On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Robotics

KINETIK Space

Development

ARCap Module

On-Orbit Servicing, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Orbit Inspection, Space Tug, Hardware, Docking

Kurs Orbital

Development

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Power Beaming, In-Space Assembly

Light Mirror

Early stage

Automated Deorbiting-Block system (PAD-B)

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Resources - Space Debris Utilization, Hardware

Magdrive

Concept

DEORBIT

Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Assembly, Orbital Transportation

Martian Sky Industries (MSI)

Development

RPOD Kit

Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, Hardware, Docking

Obruta Space Solutions

Development

Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Orbital Lasers (Sky Perfect JSAT)

Development

Orbital Recovery

Orbital Life Extension Vehicle (OLEV)

Satellite Life Extension, Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing

Orbital Recovery

Dormant

Satko

Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Orbital.Express

Development

Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Orbit Inspection, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

OrbitGuardians

Early stage

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Robotics

Orbotic Systems

Early stage

Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Orbital Transportation, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

OSMOS X

Development

Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Paladin Space

Early stage

Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Poulos Air & Space

Concept

Crow's Nest, Pono

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

Privateer Space

Development, Launched

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Robotics

Prometheus Space Technologies

Early stage, ?

Active Debris Removal (ADR)

Rubicon

Concept

IOSHEXA

Space Tug, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Active Debris Removal (ADR)

SAB Launch Services

Development

AstroLab

Space Tug, Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Logistics

Scout Aerospace

Early stage

Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

Space Debris DAO (SpaceDebrisDAO)

Early stage

OT-S, Optimus-1

Space Tug, In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Logistics, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), In-Space Mobility, Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Space Assembly, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

Space Machines Company

Development

Smart Drone

Space Tug, Orbital Transportation, On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Robotic Arm

SpaceDrone

Early stage

Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

SpaceTug (Hyoristic Innovations)

Early stage

Otter

Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, Satellite Life Extension, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Hardware

Starfish Space

Development, Launched

Worker Bee, Sutter Space Telescope

Space Tug, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Resources - Asteroid Mining, Propellant Refuel Station, Space Mining, In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Propellant Refilling, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

TransAstra (Trans Astronautics Corporation)

Development

Droid

Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

Turion Space

Development, Launched

Asteroid Mining Spacecraft

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, Transport Service (Re-Entry)

AMi Exploration (ARCA Space, Asteroid Mining Program)

Development

Argonaut

Transport Service (LEO-Moon), Propellant Refilling, Space Mining

Argo Space

Development

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining

Asterank

Active

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining

Asteroid Initiatives

Concept

Asteroid Prospecting Satellite, SCAR-E

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining

Asteroid Mining Corporation

Early stage

Asteromine

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining

Asteromine Corporation

Early stage

Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining

AstroForge

Development

GALAGO

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Mining, Commercial Rover

Astronika

Concept

Austere Engineering

GROWLER

Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining, Commercial Rover

Austere Engineering

Concept

Beyond Earth Resources

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Beyond Earth Resources

Dormant

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining

Canadian Space Mining Corporation

Early stage

In-Space Manufacturing, Space Mining

CemVita Factory

Development

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Deimos Space Resources

Concept, Dormant

Geoengineering, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station, Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining

Ethos Space

Development

Rotating Space Station (RSS)

Commercial Space Station, Space Mining

Exodus Star

Concept

Autonomous Transport Platform (ATP)

Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining, Commercial Rover

Four Point

Development, Concept

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

High Frontier Mining Corporation (HFMC)

Early stage

Space Resources, Raw Resources, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining

Interlune

Development

Raw Resources, Space Mining

Interstellar Mining

Early stage

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining

Karman+

Development

MoonHacker

Beyond-LEO Remote Sensing, Space Mining, Lunar Data Analytics

Lunar Station Corporation

Development

Rocket M

Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining

Masten Space Systems (Rocket M, Astrobotic)

Concept

Microelectronica

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, In-Space Manufacturing

Microelectronica

Concept

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining

Minespace

Early stage

Space Mining, Space Resources, Lunar Excavator

Moog

Concept

Commercial Rover, Space Mining

Moon Industry

Early stage

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining

Moonrise Mining

Dormant

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining

NEADL (Near Earth Asset Discovery Labs)

Early stage

Space Resources, Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining

Neamine

Early stage

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining

NEORA Resource Atlas

Dormant, Early stage

Surveyor, Excavator, Collector, Hauler, Dozer

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Commercial Rover, Space Mining

OffWorld

Development

NEO-X

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining

Origin Space

Development

Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining

Oshkosh Corporation

Concept

Arkyd

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining

Planetary Resources

Cancelled

In-Space Manufacturing, Landing Pads, Space Mining

Redwire

Development

Commercial Rover, Hardware, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Mining, Commercial Lander

Redwire (Deep Space Systems)

Concept

Space Robotics, Space Mining

Robotic Mining

Early stage

Commercial Rover, Space Mining, Beyond-LEO Remote Sensing, Lunar Data Analytics

Seven Sisters (Fleet Space)

Early stage, ?

Oryx, Mini Space Brake (MSB)

Transport Service (Re-Entry), In-Space Manufacturing, Resources - Water, Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Shackleton Energy

Dormant

Suborbital Space Tourism, Resources - Asteroid Mining, Intra-Solar Banking, Space Mining

Skytech Holdings

Concept

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, In-Space Manufacturing

SolSys Mining

Development

Space Resources, Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, In-Space Manufacturing

SpaceGold

Early stage

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Commercial Rover, Orbital Transportation

SpaceTIS

Early stage

Team AA-Star

Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining

Team AA-Star

Concept

Team LIQUID

Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining

Team LIQUID

Concept

Terra Engineering

Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining

Terra Engineering

Concept

Worker Bee, Sutter Space Telescope

Space Tug, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Resources - Asteroid Mining, Propellant Refuel Station, Space Mining, In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Propellant Refilling, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

TransAstra (Trans Astronautics Corporation)

Development

Luna-Crete, Constellation Vault

In-Space Manufacturing, Space Construction Company, Space Construction Equipment, Commercial Rover, Space Mining

Uplift Aerospace

Early stage

Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining, Commercial Rover

USN Solar Sky Mining

Early stage

Subsystems & Equipment, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Air Squared

Development

ROXY

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Airbus

Development

GALAGO

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Mining, Commercial Rover

Astronika

Concept

HEBAM

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Resources - Energy, Hardware

Azimut Space

Concept

In-Space Manufacturing, Space Construction Company, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Bechtel

Concept

Beyond Earth Resources

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Beyond Earth Resources

Dormant

Blue Alchemist

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Blue Origin

Development

Budgie

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), In-Space Manufacturing, Commercial Space Station

Budgie

Concept

Transport Service (LEO-Moon), ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Tug, In-Space Logistics

Crow Industries

Concept

Darkoob

Lightweight Pressurized Chamber (LEXICON)

Resources - Asteroid Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Darkoob

Concept, Dormant

Deep Space Industries

Xplorer, Prospector-1

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Tug, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Deep Space Industries

Dormant

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Deimos Space Resources

Concept, Dormant

Jaguar 1

Commercial Rover, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), In-Space Manufacturing

Dereum Labs

Development

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Commercial Rover

Diatomic Space

Cancelled, Early stage

H2RENEW

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Raw Resources, Resources - Hydrogen

Eta Space

Development

Nano Icy Moons Propellant Harvester (NIMPH)

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Exoterra

Dormant

Resources - Asteroid Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Exponential Deep Space

Dormant

Resources - Energy, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Extraterrestrial Power

Concept

Commercial Rover, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), In-Space Manufacturing

Finite Space

Early stage, ?

In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

General Galactic

Development

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Resources

Hanwha Systems

Development

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

High Frontier Mining Corporation (HFMC)

Early stage

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Resources, Resources - Energy, Space Robotics, Robotic Arm

Honda Motor Co

Development

Resources - Asteroid Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Insistent Galactic Operations (iGO)

Early stage

Space Resources, Raw Resources, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Mining, Resources - Asteroid Mining

Interlune

Development

SpaceCUBE

In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Kilncore

Early stage

In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

L'Garde

Development

Space Resources, Resources - Water, Space Architecture, Commercial Space Station, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Miscellaneous

Liquifer Systems Group (LIQUIFER Space Systems)

Concept

MAPP, HL-MAPP

Commercial Rover, Surface Habitats, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Software & Mission Control

Lunar Outpost

Development

Resources - Asteroid Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Lunar Water Supply Company (Foundation Space Resources)

Early stage, Dormant

TerraBox

Resources - Energy, Resources - Oxygen, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), In-Space Manufacturing

Maana Electric

Development

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Hardware, Life Support

MAC SciTech

Concept

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

May Marom

Dormant

The Metalysis FFC Process for Extra-Terrestrial Oxygen Production from ISRU

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), In-Space Manufacturing, Resources - Metal, Resources - Oxygen

Metalysis

Development

Orbital Can Station, MDRS FARMM

Commercial Space Station, Surface Habitats, In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Nexus Aurora

Concept

Space Junk Recycler

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), In-Space Manufacturing

Northrop Grumman

Development

ASTRAEUS, CYCLOPS

Resources - Asteroid Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Odysseus Space

Concept

Solid Oxide Electrolysis (SOXE)

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

OxEon Energy

Demonstrated

xEMU

Space Suits & Garments, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Paragon Space Development Corporation (Final Frontier Design)

Development

In-Space Manufacturing, Space Construction Company, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Physical Sciences

Development

Extraterrestrial Metals Processing (EMP)

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Pioneer Astronautics (Voyager Space Holdings)

Development, Acquired

Lunar Excavation Vehicle

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Resources - Asteroid Mining, Lunar Data Center Network, Cislunar Space Logistics

Planetoid Mines Company

Early stage

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Resources - Asteroid Mining

Polimak Space

Early stage

Puli Lunar Rover

Commercial Rover, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Resources - Asteroid Mining

Puli Space

Development

Commercial Rover, Hardware, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Mining, Commercial Lander

Redwire (Deep Space Systems)

Concept

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling

Regolithix

Early stage

Oryx, Mini Space Brake (MSB)

Transport Service (Re-Entry), In-Space Manufacturing, Resources - Water, Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Shackleton Energy

Dormant

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Resources, Resources - Energy

Sierra Space (Sierra Nevada Corp, SNC)

Development

In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Resources - Space Debris Utilization

Sira Space

Concept

In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Skyhaven (Reactive Innovations)

Development

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Resources - Oxygen, Resources - Hydrogen, Raw Resources

Skyre

Development

ALCHEMIST

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Space Applications Services

Development

LREV

Raw Resources, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Resources - Oxygen, Commercial Rover

Space Industries

Development, ?

Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Mining, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Commercial Rover, Orbital Transportation

SpaceTIS

Early stage

Robotic Arm, Hardware, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), On-Orbit Servicing

Sperospace

Early stage, Dormant

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), In-Space Manufacturing

Starpath Robotics

Development

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Resources - Oxygen

Takasago Thermal Engineering

Development

Terra Luna Resources

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Resources

Terra Luna Resources

Early stage

VaPRe

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Terraxis

Early stage

In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Thales Alenia Space UK

Development

Worker Bee, Sutter Space Telescope

Space Tug, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Resources - Asteroid Mining, Propellant Refuel Station, Space Mining, In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Propellant Refilling, Active Debris Removal (ADR)

TransAstra (Trans Astronautics Corporation)

Development

Vulcan Aerospace

ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization)

Vulcan Aerospace

Dormant