World’s First Image of Space Debris Captured By Japan's AstroScale

Astroscale Japan Inc., a subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings Inc., has unveiled the first publicly released image of space debris captured through rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO).

This historic image was taken by their commercial debris inspection demonstration satellite called Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J).

The ADRAS-J spacecraft was selected by Japanese space agency JAXA for Phase I of its Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration (CRD2) program. Astroscale Japan is responsible for the design, manufacture, test, launch and operations of ADRAS-J.

ADRAS-J is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of capturing and removing space debris from orbit. Its primary goal is to test technologies and techniques for safe and efficient debris removal.

The ADRAS-J spacecraft successfully approached a rocket upper stage, which is a piece of space debris, from several hundred meters behind it. This achievement marks a crucial step toward understanding and addressing the challenges posed by space debris, driving progress toward a safer and more sustainable space environment.

ADRAS-J uses advanced sensors, navigation systems, and robotic arms for its operations. These technologies are crucial for safe and precise maneuvers around space debris.

Astroscale collaborates with space agencies, industry partners, and international organizations to promote responsible space practices and develop effective debris removal strategies.

How ADRAS-J capture and remove space debris?

The ADRAS-J spacecraft employs innovative techniques to capture and remove space debris as depicted below —

1. Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO)

ADRAS-J approaches the target space debris object using precise navigation and control systems. It performs close flybys to inspect the debris and assess its condition.

2. Capture Mechanism

ADRAS-J spacecraft is equipped with a robotic arm or a net system. The robotic arm can grapple onto the debris, securing it for removal. Alternatively, the net system envelops the debris, capturing it.

3. Deorbit Maneuvers

Once captured, ADRAS-J initiates deorbit maneuvers. These maneuvers alter the debris' orbit, gradually bringing it closer to Earth.

Eventually, the debris re-enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up.

4. Safe Disposal

ADRAS-J ensures that the debris re-enters over uninhabited areas (such as oceans) to minimize risk. The controlled re-entry prevents the debris from becoming additional space junk.

While active debris removal is still an ongoing challenge, there have been some notable efforts and achievements. The RemoveDEBRIS mission, led by the University of Surrey in collaboration with industry partners, successfully demonstrated several debris removal technologies. In 2018, it deployed a net to capture a simulated piece of space debris and used a harpoon to pierce a target panel. These tests validated the feasibility of capturing and deorbiting debris.

Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink Satellite actively manages its satellites to avoid collisions and reduce space debris. When a defunct Starlink satellite (Darksat) was no longer operational, SpaceX intentionally deorbited it to prevent it from becoming space junk.

Similarly, the European Space Agency (ESA) is planning the e.Deorbit mission. e.Deorbit aims to capture a defunct satellite and safely deorbit it. The mission will demonstrate key technologies for active debris removal.

International organizations, space agencies, and private companies are increasingly working together to address space debris.

Initiatives like the Space Data Association (SDA) facilitate coordination among satellite operators to prevent collisions.

Cow-Dung Powers Japan's New Rocket Engine Prototype, Advances in Sustainable Space Tech

Japan has recently made a significant advancement in sustainable space technology. The Japanese space agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has collaborated with Interstellar Technologies, a space technology startup that has developed a prototype rocket engine powered by Liquid Biomethane (LBM) derived from cow dung. This initiative is part of the JAXA-SMASH program, which aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the space sector.

Interstellar Technologies has successfully conducted a "Static Fire Test" for its ZERO launch vehicle rocket at the Hokkaido Spaceport's Launch Complex-0 in Taiki, Hokkaido. The test showcased a powerful blue-and-orange flame generated by the engine for approximately 10 seconds, demonstrating the potential of cow dung-based fuel for space missions.

The company plans to launch its orbital ZERO rocket, which will be 32 meters long with a diameter of 2.3 meters, using this eco-friendly fuel by 2025. The goal is to deliver payloads up to 800 kilograms to low Earth orbit (LEO) using liquid biomethane fuel and liquid oxygen.

This cow dung based green rocket fuel is the result of a collaboration with Air Water, a Japanese company which has set up a local system in the Hokkaido Tokachi area where they turn biogas from livestock waste into liquid biomethane. Farmers in the area help out by using special equipment to change cattle manure into biogas, which Air Water then processes into rocket fuel

This innovative approach not only promotes environmental sustainability but also leverages local resources, potentially reducing costs and increasing Japan's autonomy in space technology.

Liquid Biomethane (LBM) fuel, derived from cow dung, offers several advantages for space missions, such as:

• Cost-Effectiveness: LBM is simpler and cheaper to produce compared to traditional rocket fuels.
• Reduced Residue: It leads to little to no coking and other forms of residue buildup, which can be a significant issue with other fuels.
• Environmental Friendliness: As a cleaner alternative, it has a smaller carbon footprint, making it more environmentally friendly. 
• Higher Specific Impulse: LBM provides a higher specific impulse than RP-1, which means it can be more efficient in terms of thrust per unit mass. 
• Extraterrestrial Production: It can potentially be produced on other celestial bodies, aiding in deep space exploration and reducing the need for fuel transport from Earth.
• Smaller Fuel Tanks: Compared to hydrogen, LBM requires smaller fuel tanks, which can reduce the overall size and weight of the spacecraft.
• No Additional Compounds Needed: LBM does not require additional compounds to keep fuel tanks pressurized, simplifying the design and operation of the fuel system.
• Higher Pressure Tolerance: It allows rocket engines to run at higher pressures, which can improve performance and efficiency.

These advantages make LBM a promising candidate for future space missions, particularly those focused on sustainability and long-term space exploration.

India Launching Chandrayaan-4 with Japan by 2026

ISRO has just created history by becoming the first & only country to reach the South Pole of the Moon.

Now in a next lunar mission, ISRO in collaboration with Japenese space agency, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is planning a Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, also known as Chandrayaan-4, slated for launch in the 2025/2026 timeframe. The aim of this mission is to obtain knowledge of lunar water resources and to explore the suitability of the lunar polar region for the establishment of a lunar base.

India would develop the lander while Japan will build the rover. LUPEX is likely to be launched by Japan’s H3 launch vehicle. 

In the past few years, satellites, telescopes and various cameras around the moon have provided positive indications of water. In 2008, the first of Chandrayaan Series, Chandrayaan-1 has many achievements and one of the discovery was "widespread presence of water molecules in lunar soil".

Lupex will put an end to this much-discussed speculation – "if there's water on Moon or not?". The trajectory of the lunar mission may change in the coming days. However, details about this operation are not known yet.

Lupex or 'Chandrayaan-4' is also expected to improve mutual relations between India and Japan. The campaign could be launched by 2026

Meanwhile, today an another lunar mission called "XRISM"— led by JAXA in collaboration with NASA and with contributions from ESA (European Space Agency) — is scheduled to launch on an H-IIA rocket from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center at 8:26 p.m. EDT i.e on Sunday, Aug. 27 (9:26 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, in Japan).