Launched successfully on February 18, the Adras-J satellite, tasked with characterizing a nearby piece of debris, has reached its target and is now in close proximity. The debris is the upper stage of a Japanese H2A rocket used in 2009 to launch the Gosat satellite. This stage is approximately eleven meters long, four meters in diameter, and weighs around three tons. It is currently orbiting at an altitude of about 600 kilometers around Earth at a speed of approximately 7.5 km per second.
A few days ago, Astroscale’s satellite captured a series of images of this upper stage. These are the first publicly released images of space debris. They were taken while the satellite was only a few hundred meters away from its target.
Getting Closer to the Satellite
The satellite continues to approach the debris, despite the lack of cooperation from the debris itself and the associated risks, using an ellipse-based approach technique relying on navigation data provided by its sensors. During the upcoming phases of the mission, the satellite will keep closing in by conducting controlled approach operations to acquire more images of the upper stage. These images and data collected will play a crucial role in deepening our understanding of space debris, providing essential information for future space debris cleaning and management missions.
As Astroscale highlights in its statement, this “unprecedented image marks a crucial step towards understanding and resolving the challenges posed by space debris, leading to progress towards a safer and more sustainable space environment.”
Promoting Awareness and Action by the Youth on These Issues
This image can also play a significant role in raising awareness among the younger generation about the importance of preserving near-Earth space. By shedding light on the challenges associated with space debris and visually illustrating the consequences of space pollution, this image can prompt young people to reflect on their impact on the space environment and the importance of taking measures to protect it.
It is also essential to highlight the issues related to space debris, light pollution, as well as sustainability and the preservation of space resources. By educating the younger generation on these matters, we can guide them to become the future guardians of space and contribute to a sustainable and responsible space future. Just as environmental protection and sustainable development have become driving forces for businesses and societal policies, this should be the same for space protection and sustainability.
Pollution in space: a new mission to approach and study a large space debris
Article by Remy Decourt, published on 13/02/2024
With its satellite Adras-J, Astroscale is preparing for a unique mission that aims to demonstrate the rendezvous and proximity capabilities required for orbital services. On February 18, this satellite will be launched towards an upper stage of a Japanese H2A launcher to inspect it and acquire numerous information. This mission is much more complex than it seems because the satellite will have to operate near a non-cooperative object whose main navigation parameters are not precisely known.
Today, the issue of space debris is a major concern that involves all space actors. Space agencies and governments alone cannot manage this problem, especially regarding the decluttering and elimination of the largest and most threatening debris. In this context, to ensure the sustainability of space and preserve the orbital infrastructures essential for many applications such as telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, and scientific research, there is a potential market of several hundred million dollars for the removal of these dangerous debris and the protection of space infrastructures and satellites.
A unique mission to closely characterize a non-cooperative debris
The Adras-J mission is the world’s first attempt to safely approach, characterize, and study the state of an existing large space debris through rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO).Adras-J will rendezvous with the upper stage of the Japanese H2A rocket, which was used in 2009 to launch the Gosat satellite, to demonstrate close proximity operations and collect images to assess the motion and state of its structure. This stage, approximately 11 meters long, 4 meters in diameter, and weighing around 3 tons, is currently located at an altitude of about 600 kilometers and orbits the Earth at a speed of approximately 7.5 km per second.
The Adras-J mission is more complex than it seems, as unprepared objects in orbit are not equipped with the necessary technology for docking, servicing, or removal.
The Astroscale spokesperson answers our questions.
Futura: What are the main challenges of the mission?
Astroscale: Approaching an unprepared target (debris) in orbit, meaning it has not been prepared and equipped with technologies to facilitate approach, docking, maintenance, or removal, presents several challenges. For example, the target does not provide GPS data, making its precise location and orbital position unknown. Additionally, the structure of the debris is also unknown, and we cannot control its attitude or altitude, nor communicate with it. Overall, the Adras-J mission is extremely complex and aims to demonstrate the technologies necessary to ensure reliable and secure orbital services.
Futura: Were the satellite and its instruments difficult to develop?
Astroscale: Yes, the development of the Adras-J satellite was a very complex endeavor. This mission represents the world’s first attempt to safely approach, characterize, and study the condition of a large existing space debris through rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO).
Astroscale: Once Adras-J is at an appropriate distance from the stage, it will use its own payload sensors to safely approach it. These sensors will collect various navigation data related to the stage, such as distance and attitude, thus demonstrating the efficiency of RPO technologies in the safe approach of unprepared targets. Coordination between the onboard sensors is essential for the mission’s success. This operation can be likened to switching from a telescope to binoculars and a magnifying glass aboard a rapidly moving vehicle on Earth, highlighting the inherent challenges of this type of mission. It is important to note that our satellite will not dock with the stage.
Futura: Specifically, what data does Adras-J need to collect?
Astroscale: Adras-J will gather images to assess the condition of the stage structure as well as data to measure its rotational speed and axis of rotation, and the reflectivity properties of the materials. We will use LiDAR data, infrared cameras, and visible images.