Successful launch for a historic new space waste monitoring mission. A new satellite from the company RocketLab has just reached orbit.
Space debris is a serious problem that threatens satellites, spacecraft and astronauts. To address this problem, a new satellite was launched to inspect and monitor a large piece of debris in orbit. This satellite, called ADRAS-J, is a joint project of Rocket Lab and Astroscale Japan, a company specializing in the removal of orbital debris. The company was founded in 2013 and has already launched several demo missions to showcase its solutions.
ADRAS-J, which stands for Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan, took off aboard an Electron rocket from the Rocket Lab launch site in New Zealand on Sunday, February 18. The satellite weighs 150 kilograms and is equipped with sensors and cameras to perform rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) with a target object.
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What is the goal of RocketLab’s new mission?
The target object is an old Japanese rocket upper stage that has been orbiting Earth since 2009. ADRAS-J will approach the object, photograph it and collect data on its size, shape and condition. The mission aims to test the technologies and operations needed to safely and accurately inspect and monitor space debris.
ADRAS-J is part of a larger orbital debris removal program led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This program, called “Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration”, has two phases. Phase I, which involves ADRAS-J, focuses on inspection and monitoring. Phase II, planned for 2026, will involve another satellite attempting to capture and deorbit the target object.
With the launch of ADRAS-J, Astroscale and Rocket Lab made history by sending the first satellite to inspect a large piece of space debris in orbit. The mission is expected to last a few months and provide valuable data that will aid future space junk cleanup efforts. ADRAS-J is therefore an important first step for the space industry and a step forward towards the safety and sustainability of space activities, since space debris sometimes represents an enormous danger.