Up close to space debris


We can get a close-up look at some of the space debris floating around in space thanks to Tokyo-based company Astroscale Japan. New images These images taken from a distance of just 50 meters show the abandoned upper stage of a Japanese H-2A rocket currently stuck in Earth orbit. They were taken by Astroscale’s Active Debris Removal (ADRAS-J) satellite after the spacecraft’s first in-flight observation of the debris.

ADRAS-J Was launched February 18th with the aim of collecting observational data that can be used to eventually remove large space debris from orbit. The satellite monitors the rocket’s upper stage for several monthsThe images were released after a test of the craft’s autonomous collision avoidance system, designed to allow ADRAS-J to safely approach debris at close range.

This is truly a beautiful photo of what is essentially “massive waste.”
Image: Astroscale

Photographs taken during the flyby maneuver give us the closest look at the body of the abandoned H-2A upper rocket since it was used to Launch of the Earth observation satellite GOSAT in 2009. The object, seen floating above Earth, weighs about 3 tons and measures about 11 meters (about 36 feet) long and 4 meters (about 13 feet) in diameter – slightly smaller than an average city bus.

According to Astroscale, ADRAS-J managed to maintain a distance of about 50 meters (about 164 feet) during the flyby, before an “unexpected attitude anomaly” triggered an autonomous abort about a third of the way through the maneuver. ADRAS-J then moved away from the debris as planned and “remains healthy,” according to Astroscale. The anomaly has since been identified, and Astroscale engineers are now preparing to approach the abandoned upper stage again.

The second phase of Astroscale’s ADRAS-J mission, which aims to capture and deorbit large pieces of space debris, is expected to begin no earlier than 2026.

Leave a Comment