First-ever attempt to remove space junk begins

Typical spaceships have huge rockets lifting them off into the air. Eventually, the rockets will disconnect from the ship, leaving it to propel itself with a smaller engine while riding the initial momentum. Watching that scientific marvel unfold, have you ever thought, “What do they do with the discarded space junk?”

Believe it or not, it’s a growing problem that may endanger the future of space exploration. Moreover, space debris may collide with existing satellites. That is why the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) developed a new satellite for space junk removal. More importantly, it recently started its first mission!

How will JAXA remove space junk?

The Japanese space agency’s junk disposal satellite is the ADRAS-J, short for Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan. On February 18, it launched aboard an Electron rocket from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand launch site.

Interesting Engineering says its primary objective is to examine a defunct Japanese H-2A rocket stage in low Earth orbit. On February 22, ADRAS-J began its rendezvous operation phase with the rocket part.

“In this phase, the operations team based in Japan and the UK will use ADRAS-J’s propulsion system to start maneuvering towards the client orbit,” Tokyo-based company Astroscale explained.

The space junk satellite will inspect the dead rocket and develop ways for a follow-up mission to safely push it into our atmosphere. It will study the rocket’s condition, identify where a retrieval craft could hold onto it, and assess whether fragments pose additional risks.

“This initial rendezvous phase requires careful planning of several orbit raising maneuvers to ensure accurate, precise, and safe approach to the client,” Astroscale’s statement noted.

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The dead rocket may stay in orbit for several years if left unattended. Consequently, it may collide with orbiting satellites and ascending spacecraft.

The company admits removing a dead rocket from orbit is difficult. Such objects cannot provide visual aids, docking capabilities, and GPS data.

That is why the ADRAS-J satellite focuses on assessing space junk. If it succeeds, it could guide future space junk removal missions.