Astroscale Launches Satellite to Address Space Junk Crisis

The Japanese startup's ADRAS-J mission aims to clear defunct satellites from Earth's orbit, marking a pivotal moment in space debris removal efforts.

Astroscale's ADRAS-J satellite launched to tackle space junk by attempting to catch a defunct upper stage of a Japanese H-IIA rocket.
The mission represents a significant step towards cleaning up Earth's orbit, with more than 9,000 satellites currently in space and an estimated 60,000 by 2030.
Astroscale, a Japanese startup, has raised nearly $383 million in capital for its space debris removal technology.
The ADRAS-J satellite is equipped with digital and infrared cameras, lidar, and other sensors to assess and eventually de-orbit space debris.
If successful, Astroscale plans to expand its services to include the refueling and repair of existing satellites.