ADRAS-J

ADRAS-J [Astroscale]

Astroscale Japan’s ADRAS-J (Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan) spacecraft is to demonstrate the core technologies to be used for Active Debris Removal missions.

ADRAS-J was selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) for Phase I of its Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration Project (CRD2), one of the world’s first technology demonstrations of removing large-scale debris from orbit.

ADRAS-J aims to demonstrate proximity operations and obtain images of a rocket body, delivering observational data to better understand the debris environment. ADRAS-J is designed to rendezvous with an unprepared Japanese H-2A upper stage rocket body (approximately 11 meters long, 4 meters in diameter, and weighing approximately 3 tons), demonstrate proximity operations, and gather images to assess the rocket body’s movement and condition of the structure. Unprepared objects in orbit pose an additional challenge as they have not been prepared with any technologies that enable docking or potential servicing or removal. The mission will demonstrate the most challenging RPO capabilities necessary for on-orbit services.

ADRAS-J has twelve 1N thrusters using ammonium dinitramide monopropellant.