ADRAS-J completes mission operations and begins controlled deorbit
Astroscale completed ADRAS-J mission operations after 293 days in orbit and began lowering the debris-inspection spacecraft for atmospheric re-entry within five years.
Evidence notes
- ADRAS-J approached an unprepared three-tonne rocket upper stage and captured close-range imagery.
- The mission validated rendezvous, proximity operations and autonomous collision avoidance, including approaches to roughly 15 metres.
- Astroscale said the results support the follow-on ADRAS-J2 debris-removal mission planned for fiscal 2027.
Company context
Astroscale develops and operates robotic spacecraft for on-orbit inspection, life extension, refuelling, end-of-life removal and active debris removal. Its ELSA-d and ADRAS-J missions demonstrated rendezvous and proximity operations around cooperative and unprepared orbital objects.