FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Christopher Lee Jones
Phone: (954) 816-7828
Email: business@satelliteorbitalaccess.com
Website: https://satelliteorbitalaccess.com

S.O.A.R. LLC Partners with University of Texas at El Paso to Develop Passive System for Capturing Small Orbital Debris
St. Lucie County, Florida — August 10, 2026 — Satellite Orbital Access and Removal (S.O.A.R.) LLC, a Florida-based startup focused on orbital debris mitigation, announced a partnership with the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) National Security Institute, to advance development of the Passive Orbital Debris Removal System (PODRS).

The PODRS, a rotating, multi-panel structure equipped with layered, Whipple-style shielding, is designed to intercept and capture space debris measuring 10 centimeters or smaller. The system will also incorporate sensors to record impacts, including strike frequency and momentum transfer data.

In an interview with SpaceNews, Dr. Eric Felt, retired U.S. Space Force colonel, research professor, and director of UTEP’s National Security Institute said, “The consequences of even small objects hitting a satellite can be catastrophic when they’re going 17,500 miles per hour or more. Today the probability of a collision is still pretty low, but the risk is high because the consequences can be severe. We need to mature the technology to mitigate the impact of small debris before it becomes a crisis.”

UTEP’s National Security Institute serves as lead designer for PODRS. The partnership will focus on determining the optimal architecture for an effective debris-capture system, prioritizing high-consequence orbits rather than attempting to clear all small debris in low Earth orbit (LEO).

S.O.A.R. was founded in 2025 by Christopher Lee Jones, a retired firefighter and science-fiction author. Jones became connected with the issue of orbital debris through his novel Mars Mission I: Surviving the Kessler Effect and subsequent discussions with astrophysicist Dr. Donald Kessler, who first predicted the potential for cascading collisions from growing debris in 1978. Kessler serves as an advisor to S.O.A.R.

“The amount of debris in low-Earth orbit is only going to grow and the demand for small debris cleanup is going to grow with increased risks and collisions,” said Christopher Lee Jones, President of S.O.A.R. LLC.

European Space Agency models estimate more than 140 million objects smaller than 10 centimeters currently orbit Earth. Existing space-based and terrestrial sensor networks primarily track debris larger than 10 centimeters, leaving the smaller, more numerous population largely unmonitored.
There is a growing critical dependence on Low Earth Orbit capabilities for commercial and national security applications, including Department of War systems. Debris-creating events, whether accidental or intentional, would heighten the need for effective cleanup technologies to maintain operational access to space.

About S.O.A.R. LLC
Satellite Orbital Access and Removal (S.O.A.R.) LLC is a Florida startup dedicated to developing passive technologies for the capture and mitigation of small orbital debris. Founded in 2025, the company is advancing the Passive Orbital Debris Removal System (PODRS) in collaboration with academic and technical partners.

###

For more information, contact:
Christopher Lee Jones
President
S.O.A.R. LLC
Email Address: business@christopherleejones.com
Website: https://satelliteorbitalaccess.com
Florida, USA