ADRAS-J Captures Stunning Close-Ups of 15-Year-Old Space Debris

The Japanese company Astroscale has achieved an unprecedented milestone by closely inspecting a piece of space debris that has been orbiting Earth for 15 years. The ADRAS-J (Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan) spacecraft has successfully taken detailed images of the rocket part, which has been drifting in space for 15 years.

This mission marks the first time that a satellite has approached and photographed such old, uncontrolled space debris. Launched in February, ADRAS-J was able to get within 50 meters of the 11-meter-long, 3-ton rocket stage. The stunning footage revealed that the rocket remains in remarkable condition, with its engine nozzle still gleaming despite the harsh conditions of space.

Inspection attempts on July 15 and 16 were successful, with ADRAS-J completing two fly-arounds, capturing images from various angles and lighting conditions.

Astroscale's mission is part of a broader effort to address the growing problem of space debris. According to the European Space Agency, over 40,500 pieces of space debris larger than 10 centimeters currently orbit Earth, posing risks to operational satellites and the International Space Station. Astroscale's work is critical in developing solutions to remove the most dangerous debris from orbit.

The ADRAS-J mission is supported by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which has selected Astroscale for a follow-on mission to remove the old rocket stage from orbit using a robotic arm. Development of the ADRAS-J2 spacecraft is already underway, with the aim to launch in 2027.