ThinkOrbital, a Colorado-based space infrastructure developer, announced its plans to develop a low-earth orbit (LEO) platform for in-space manufacturing and space debris management that has both commercial and military applications.

Named ThinkPlatform, it is a spherical free-flying, a non-pressurized structure that can either operate as a part of a larger commercial station or docked with a spacecraft such as SpaceX’s starship.

The platform would be assembled in space with the use of a robotic arm and would be used for manufacturing electrical components and pharmaceuticals, as well as the collection and recycling of space debris.

Founded in 2021, ThinkOrbital develops large, scalable space structures capable of autonomous on-orbit assembly. Its ThinkPlatform concept was rejected by NASA previously but the company secured two research contracts worth USD 260,000 under the US Space Force’s Orbital prime program for in-orbit service, assembly, and manufacturing and hopes to be selected for the next phase of Orbital Prime.