Astroscale commercial debris removal demonstration satellite “ADRAS-J” successfully launched
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Press release: February 19, 2024
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Astroscale commercial debris removal demonstration satellite “ADRAS-J” successfully launched
*world’s first! Approaching and investigating large debris! The beginning of space roadside service*
Astroscale Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sumida-ku, Tokyo, founder and CEO), which provides in-orbit services including space debris removal, with the aim of creating a sustainable space environment. Astroscale Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sumida-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director) is a subsidiary of Mitsunobu Okada (CEO) and is responsible for the manufacture, development, and operation of artificial satellite systems.
Hideki Kato (hereinafter referred to as “Astroscale”) is the company’s commercial debris removal demonstration satellite
“ADRAS-J” (Active Debris Removal by
Astroscale-Japan)” was launched on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand at midnight on February 18th (Japan time).
We are pleased to announce that it was launched from Lab’s Launch Complex 1 and successfully entered orbit.
Rocket equipped with ADRAS-J
Lab’s rocket “Electron” was launched at 23:52 (Japan time), flew as planned, and then separated from the satellite at an altitude of about 600km, and successfully communicated with the signal received from the satellite. I confirmed that it can be done.
Provided by: Rocket Lab
Astroscale was selected as a contract partner for Phase I of the Commercial Debris Removal Demonstration (CRD2*1) by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which aims to demonstrate technology such as large debris removal, and received the contract to develop ADRAS-J. did. ADRAS-J is Rocket
After the Lab’s rocket “Electron” was launched and placed into orbit, we demonstrated approaching and operating near the upper stage of a Japanese rocket, which is a non-cooperating object, and imaged the movement, damage, and deterioration of debris that had been left for a long time. to hold. This mission is the world’s first*2 attempt to safely approach actual debris and clearly investigate the debris situation. This is an essential element in on-orbit services, including debris removal.
*Comment from Eijiro Shin, Astroscale ADRAS-J project manager* “ADRAS-J, which carries the thoughts of the team that spent several years involved in design and development, has been successfully launched and operations in orbit have finally begun.RPO*3
(Rendezvous/Proximity Operations) technology We will continue to work even harder to demonstrate this and succeed in our first mission to actually approach and investigate debris.”
*Comment from Hideki Kato, President and CEO of Astroscale*
“We were able to achieve one of the major milestones of launch. The RPO technology demonstrated in this mission will be the core of in-orbit services, including debris removal. Demonstrating this will be a big step not only for our company, but also for the global space industry.This is truly the beginning of the era of space road service.We would like to express our gratitude to JAXA, shareholders, partners, and supporters for their support. I would like to express my gratitude and gratitude, and am proud of the Astroscale team that has worked to make this mission a reality.”
This mission has moved into the initial operation phase, which includes checking the equipment on board ADRAS-J. After completing this, we will attempt to demonstrate technologies such as rendezvous, close approach, and nearby operations. The debris that will be approached and investigated in this mission is the upper stage of the H2A rocket launched in 2009 (total length approximately 11 m, diameter approximately 4 m, weight approximately 3 tons). This is a
non-cooperative object*4, and as it is not transmitting location information, accurate location information cannot be obtained. Under such conditions, ADRAS-J will approach the spacecraft using
observation data from the ground and onboard sensors.
Astroscale mission control room
ADRAS-J introduction video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGus-3T_ihE&t=1s About Commercial Debris Removal Demonstration (CRD2):
https://www.kenkai.jaxa.jp/crd2/index.html
ADRAS-J press kit:
https://astroscale.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/240214_ADRAS-J_Press_Kit_JP_Preview.pdf
*1 CRD2: Abbreviation for Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration *2 In-house investigation to see if similar missions have been carried out in the past (2023)
*3 RPO: Abbreviation for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations Technologies. *4 Non-cooperative object: An object that does not have the ability or equipment to approach, capture, dock, etc.
*About Astroscale*
Astroscale is a private company dedicated to providing in-orbit services in all orbits, with the aim of ensuring the safe navigation of spacecraft and passing on sustainable orbits to the next
generation.
Since our founding in 2013, we have taken measures to reduce and remove the ever-increasing amount of debris in orbit, including removal to prevent debris formation at the end of satellite
operations, removal of existing debris, life extension, observation and inspection of broken aircraft and objects, etc. We have been advancing technology development with the aim of realizing in-orbit services. In addition to technological development, we are working to establish business models and collaborate with multiple private companies, organizations, and government agencies to formulate space policies and best practices in order to aim for a safe and sustainable space environment over the long term. Masu. We are expanding our business globally from Japan, where we have our head office and R&D base, to the UK, US, Israel, and France.
Astroscale website: https://astroscale.com/ja/
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