Earth’s orbit is cluttered with more than 9 000 metric tons of debris, including thousands of defunct satellites and nearly 1 000 dead rocket stages, all posing a growing collision threat.

Left unchecked, these fragments could trigger catastrophic chain reactions, making spaceflight dangerous and even impossible.

Enter Astroscale, a Japanese company leading efforts to clean up all the floating space trash. In February 2024, Astroscale launched ADRAS-J, a mission to inspect a discarded H-IIA rocket stage left in orbit since 2009.

In an unprecedented feat, the spacecraft successfully navigated within 15 metres of the tumbling spacecraft, using cameras and lasers for analysis.

The next phase – ADRAS-J2, scheduled for 2027 – will attempt to physically capture and de-orbit the rocket using a robotic arm.

Furthermore, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has invested $88 million in the project, marking a crucial step toward large-scale space debris removal.

Astroscale’s vision extends beyond this mission: the Tokyo-based company is developing magnetic docking plates for future satellites, allowing for easier removal at the end of their lifespans.

It’s also exploring methods to capture and de-orbit European satellites, tackling the estimated half-a-million hazardous objects orbiting the planet.

Without action, experts warn of the Kessler Syndrome, where uncontrollable collisions create an impassable cloud of debris, threatening future space missions.

While solutions remain expensive, inaction could cost far more. Astroscale’s pioneering work represents a vital step in safeguarding Earth’s orbital environment for generations to come.

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