Dark (space company)

Dark was a space company from Paris, France, specialized in space security and protection, founded in 2021.[1][2][3] Its activities focused on the development of an air-launched rocket named Interceptor, intending to capture space debris or spy satellites.[2][4][1] Interceptor was planned to be launched from a plane in flight from anywhere on the planet and be capable of deploying payloads of up to 300 kilograms into LEO (low Earth orbit).[4][2][5] As of April 2024 the company has raised over $11 million to develop its Interceptor platform.[6] In 2023, it signed a partnership agreement with Bordeaux Airport.[3] The first launch, from France, was planned for 2026.[6]

On October 8, 2025, the company announced to cease its activities .[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "New Space : Dark se finance aux États-Unis avant d'atterrir à Bordeaux pour nettoyer l'espace". La Tribune (in French). 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  2. 1 2 3 Parsonson, Andrew (2023-09-20). "Space Debris Removal Startup Dark Partners with Bordeaux Airport". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  3. 1 2 "La société Dark veut aller capturer des débris dans l'espace depuis l'aéroport de Bordeaux-Mérignac". SudOuest.fr (in French). 2023-10-02. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  4. 1 2 FIAULT, Marion (2024-12-20). "Espace. Comment la start-up Dark veut protéger et nettoyer l'orbite terrestre". Ouest-France.fr (in French). Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  5. ↑ SpaceRef (2022-03-15). "Dark, the rocket company that will launch from French airports by 2026". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  6. 1 2 Parsonson, Andrew (2024-04-16). "Orbital Defence Startup Dark Secures $6M in Additional Funding". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  7. ↑ "The end of DARK". linkedin.com. 2025-10-08. Retrieved 2025-10-08.


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