PRESS KIT2024

CONTENTS

Introducing ADRAS-J

4Mission Overview

5Mission Highlights

6Mission Policy

7ADRAS-J Key Features

8-9

About Astroscale

10Media

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www.astroscale.com/missions/adras-j/Pg. 3

Creating a sustainable spaceenvironment by better
understanding debris risks

Introducing

ADRAS-J
Since the launch of the first satellite in 1957, thecreation of debris in Earth’s orbits has been steadily
increasing. This growth of debris is a threat tocurrent and future space programs and has been themotivation for the development of various mitigation
measures by the international space community.
However, more recent analyses have shown thatthe commonly adopted mitigation measures will
not be sufficient to stabilize the orbital environment
and that active debris removal (ADR) must also be
employed to secure a sustainable future in space.
However, before space debris can beremoved, it must first be safely approachedand characterized. What condition is it in?
Is it tumbling, and if so, how quickly?
ADRAS-J, or Active Debris Removal by
Astroscale-Japan, will answer these questions
and offer unprecedented insight on thebehavior of debris objects in space.

Pg. 4ADRAS-J Mission PatchADRAS-J will be the world’s first attempt tosafely approach and characterize an existingpiece of large debris through Rendezvous andProximity Operations (RPO), opening up a rangeof on-orbit servicing possibilities, including active
debris removal. ​With ADRAS-J, Astroscale ispartnering with the Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency (JAXA) on its Commercial Removal of
Debris Demonstration (CRD2) program. As oneof the world’s first demonstrations of removing
large-scale debris from orbit, CRD2 will pave theway in developing the technology and policies
that will drive the sustainable space market.

© Astroscale 2024

ADRAS-JMISSIONOVERVIEWThe ADRAS-J spacecraft was selected by
JAXA for Phase I of its CRD2 program. Astroscaleis responsible for the design, manufacture,test, launch, and operations of ADRAS-J.
The client is an unprepared object that does notprovide any GPS data on its own, meaning theprecise location and orbital position needed for
an RPO mission is not available. Once deployed
to a precise orbit, ADRAS-J will use ground based
observation data of the client’s approximate orbital
position to initially approach the client from asafe distance based on this limited information.
Once the spacecraft is within a certain distancefrom the client, ADRAS-J will use its own onboard rendezvous payload sensors to conduct
a safe approach with the client. These sensors
will capture various types of relative navigation
information about the client, such as distance andattitude, needed to demonstrate RPO technologies
to safely approach an unprepared client. Seamlessswitching and coordination between thesesensors is crucial to the success of the mission.
Switching between the sensors can be likened totransitioning between a telescope, binoculars, anda magnifying glass while in a fast-moving vehicle
on Earth which illustrates the difficult challenges
that need to be overcome for this type of mission.
For this mission, ADRAS-J will conduct a close
approach and orbit around the client to gather dataand images to assess the client’s condition such as:
spin rate, spin axis, and condition of the structure.
The mission will demonstrate the most challenging
RPO technologies necessary for on-orbit services,
however ADRAS-J will not dock with the client.

www.astroscale.com/missions/adras-j/

ClientClientH-IIA

Country of Origin

Japan

Launched2009

PayloadGreenhouse gases
Observing SATellite(GOSAT)

Dimensions

11m x 4m / 3 tons

Altitude

Approx. 600km(Above) *SSC: 33500 H2A R/B (Image acquired from GOSAT
satellite during separation in 2009)
Credit: JAXA

(Above) *SSC: 33500 H2A R/B imagination
Credit: JAXA
*Space Surveillance Center US military debris catalog ID numberPg. 5

ADRAS-JMISSIONHIGHLIGHTS
Outline of the Commercial Debris Removal Demonstration Phase I
provided by JAXA

1. Launch and Early Operation(LEOP) & Commissioning

4. Proximity Operation

2. Rendezvous

3. Proximity Approach

5. Departure

ADRAS-J will be the world’s first attempt
to safely approach and characterize an
existing piece of large debris through RPO.

ADRAS-J will demonstrate the essential
RPO capabilities for delivering future
safe and secure on-orbit services.

The mission will lay the groundwork for
one of the world’s first ADR missions
and for in-space inspection andsituational awareness capabilities.

ADRAS-J will serve as a catalyst for making
ADR and other on-orbit services a feasible
reality for governments and commercial
businesses around the world by addressing thetechnological, economic, and policy challenges.

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ADRAS-J is leading theworld’s first attempt tosurvey debris through RPO

Mission Policy
ADRAS-J will be a pioneering mission for not
only demonstrating technology, but also theregulations and operational practices necessaryfor future on-orbit services. Safely approachingan unprepared object in space is an essential
part of on-orbit servicing and during the mission,Astroscale will take measures based on the“Guidelines on a License to Operate a Spacecraft

www.astroscale.com/missions/adras-j/

Performing On-Orbit Servicing,” issued by theJapanese government in November 2021.
The guidelines are the world’s first to
explicitly stipulate measures to ensure
safety and transparency in on-orbit services.
JAXA, space experts, relevant ministries andagencies, and private companies, including
Astroscale, participated in discussions on andcontributed to the creation of the guidelines.

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ADRAS-JKEY FEATURESADRAS-J employs full-range RPO technologies
to approach an unprepared client, including
navigation sensors and rendezvous capabilities.
ADRAS-J features a robust combinationof satellite hardware and softwarearchitecture design along with RPO
specific mission planning and operations
approach to ensure safe operations.
ADRAS-J utilizes eight diagonal thrusters
for precise relative position control
and four straight thrusters for efficient
high-thrust maneuvers, enabling
dynamic and delicate movements.

www.astroscale.com/missions/adras-j/Dimensions
Stowed with no Solar
Arrays Deployed

Approx. 83cm x
81cm x 1.20cm

Solar Arrays
Deployed

Approx. 370cm x
81cm x 1.20cm

MassApprox. 150kg

LaunchProviderRocket Lab

Launch Vehicle

Electron

Launch Site

Launch Complex 1,Mahia, New Zealand

Date

Sunday, Feb. 18th UTCPg. 9

AboutASTROSCALE
Astroscale is the first private company with a vision
to secure the safe and sustainable development ofspace for the benefit of future generations and isdedicated to on-orbit servicing across all orbits.
Founded in 2013, Astroscale is developing
innovative and scalable solutions across thespectrum of on-orbit servicing, including life
extension, in-space situational awareness, end-oflife, and active debris removal, to create sustainable
space systems and mitigate the growing andhazardous buildup of debris in space. Astroscale isalso defining the economics of on-orbit servicing
and working with government and commercial
stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, andincentives for the responsible use of space.

Global Office Locations* Astroscale Singapore was founded in 2018. In 2019, Astroscale Singapore mergedwith Astroscale PTE. LTD., which was formed in 2013. Accordingly, 2013 is shown as theformation date of Astroscale Singapore.

Tokyo Headquarters

Headquartered in Japan, Astroscale has aninternational presence with subsidiaries in the United
Kingdom, the United States, France, and Israel.
Astroscale is a rapidly expanding venture company,
working to advance safe and sustainable growth inspace and solve a growing environmental concern.

Contact Us
media@astroscale.com

Find out more by visiting(Above) Astroscale Headquarters, Tokyo, Japan

www.astroscale.com

Follow us on social media(Above) Astroscale team in Japan

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MEDIAVideos

ADRAS-J in Action

ADRAS-J Concept of Operations

ADRAS-J Thermal Vacuum Chamber Testing

Road to 2030 | Astroscale

Resources
Image Library

www.astroscale.com/missions/adras-j/

Latest ADRAS-J Releases & NewsPg. 11

#ShowtheWayADRASJ@Astroscale@astroscale_HQ@astroscale@Astroscale