Astroscale, a company focused on removing orbital debris, has successfully conducted the first-ever controlled flyaround of a large piece of space junk. This maneuver, captured in a timelapse, marks a significant step towards clearing low-Earth orbit of hazardous debris and creating a sustainable space environment.
Astroscale, a company specializing in orbital debris removal, has successfully captured detailed images of a large piece of space junk, a spent rocket upper stage, from a distance of just 50 meters. This unprecedented feat was achieved by the Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J) satellite, part of Japan’s Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration (CRD2) initiative. The images provide crucial insights into the condition and movement of the space junk, paving the way for future removal missions.
Space debris, a growing problem in Earth’s orbit, has recently threatened the International Space Station and impacted China’s space station. In an effort to address this issue, Japanese company Astroscale has captured the first-ever close-up image of a piece of space debris using its Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J) satellite. This breakthrough could pave the way for future cleanup missions, as it allows scientists to better understand the movement and condition of space debris.
