Japanese company Astroscale reported a new achievement of its ADRAS-J satellite. It approached a record distance of 15 meters to a fragment of space debris.
The ADRAS-J satellite was built by Astroscale on behalf of JAXA. It was launched into orbit in February 2024. The main task of the 150-kilogram vehicle is to demonstrate the possibility of removing large fragments of space debris from orbit. The upper stage of the H-2A rocket, which has been in orbit since 2009, was chosen as the object for the demonstration. Its length is 11 meters, diameter is 4 meters, and mass is about 3 tons.
The approach to the stage began in April. By May, ADRAS-J approached it at a distance of 50 meters, and in July, it was circled. The data obtained during these rendezvous will be used to prepare the second phase of the program, in which the ADRAS-J2 spacecraft will be sent to the stage to try to capture it and then deorbit it.
The next stage of the mission was the approach of ADRAS-J to the payload attachment fitting. It was selected as the capture point for ADRAS-J2. During the maneuver, the satellite approached the stage at a distance of 15 meters, setting a new record. This is the closest approach to space debris ever reached by a private company. It was photographed from Earth by a telescope owned by HEO.
However, it didn’t go perfectly. At some point, the ADRAS-J’s autonomous collision avoidance system triggered, which steered it away from the stage to a safe distance. But even though ADRAS-J failed to approach the target at the planned distance, Astroscale still considers the maneuver a success. The satellite again demonstrated the effectiveness of the collision avoidance system.
According to a statement published on the company’s official website, during the maneuvers it managed to obtain all the critical data needed to prepare the ADRAS-J2 mission. Its launch could take place as early as 2027.
Provided by Astroscale
