Astroscale’s latest mission to clear space debris has successfully launched, as its ADRAS-J spacecraft reached orbit from a Rocket Lab launch site in New Zealand. The satellite embarks on a pioneering venture selected for the first phase of Japan’s space agency (JAXA) Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration program, targeting the clean-up of cosmic clutter.
The demonstration satellite’s mission is a critical response to the mounting issue of space debris accumulated from past spaceflights. Astroscale’s ADRAS-J is tasked with a mission that, until now, has been uncharted territory: it will approach and survey a defunct Japanese rocket stage that has been adrift since 2009.
In the coming months, ADRAS-J will maneuver towards the rocket debris, using precision tracking based on terrestrial data. Its mission is to capture high-resolution images and gather data on the target’s condition, laying the groundwork for potential debris removal.
This method, aimed at safely deorbiting space junk, would significantly lower the risk of collisions in space, ultimately leading the debris to a fiery demise in the Earth’s atmosphere. Astroscale’s endeavor is a significant stride in the collective efforts to maintain space as a sustainable environment for future explorations.
With ADRAS-J now in its operational phase, Astroscale heralds the advent of a proactive approach to space stewardship. The company’s initiative represents a significant contribution to the global challenge of space sustainability, bringing us one step closer to a cleaner and safer cosmic frontier.
