Obruta Space: How AI-Powered Pilots Are Enabling the Orbital Economy

EcoAero had the opportunity to speak with Kevin Stadnyk, Co-Founder and CEO of Obruta Space Solutions, a company dedicated to making the emerging space economy more accessible to the commercial market. While pursuing his Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Kevin was drawn to the pressing issue of space debris surrounding Earth. This concern led to the co-founding of Obruta Space Solutions, with a mission to identify feasible ways to remove space debris from Earth's orbit.

Obruta Space Solutions, derived from the Latin word ‘obruta’ for ‘debris,’ was launched through the Young Space Entrepreneur Competition in Canada and has since expanded, driven by the goal of making the space economy as accessible as our terrestrial one. You see trucks, gas stations, and semi-trucks on Earth, so why not have equivalents in Earth’s orbit? That’s the question that drives innovation at Obruta Space Solutions.

Obruta Space Solutions aims to create products that interface with satellites and spacecraft in orbit. Unlike companies that own their spacecraft, Obruta Space Solutions focuses on facilitating the seamless refueling and maintenance of these spacecraft and satellites. Their solutions, designed for other companies launching objects into orbit, use artificial intelligence and machine learning to aid autonomous docking, machinery refueling, and space debris collection. What sets Obruta Space Solutions apart is its commitment to affordability and its use of modern technology. Traditional methods for satellites in orbit involve large radar dishes and RADAR/LiDAR technology, which are too big and draw too much power. Obruta Space Solutions’ approach is different—they employ cameras, which are cheaper, lighter, and require no active power systems. This allows Obruta to offer smaller, less power-consuming, and more cost-effective solutions, ultimately reducing its price. In addition, safety and reliability are essential to Obruta Space Solutions – they believe spending a bit more on their systems would be worth it if it ensures increased reliability and decreased risk.

Obruta Space Solutions’ software has recently been uploaded to the International Space Station for testing to ensure their autonomous capabilities, including computer vision systems and AI models, work as planned. The company aims to have its full product on the market within the next few years, marking a significant milestone in the space economy. Looking further ahead, Obruta Space Solutions envisions powering the orbital economy in space, with their long-term goals including facilitating the docking of crew and cargo at space stations, employing nets and robotic arms to remove space debris, and ensuring the smooth interaction of spacecraft and satellites orbiting Earth.

Kevin Stadnyk and Obruta Space Solutions are not just making space more accessible — they are redefining it. By prioritizing safety and affordability in modern space technologies, Obruta Space Solutions is set to become a leader in the commercial space market, paving the way for a sustainable and thriving orbital economy.

Image courtesy of Obruta Space, used with permission.