Astroscale Japan Approves First Commercial Mission to Inspect Defunct Satellites Across Orbits

Sumi

Japan – Astroscale Japan has unveiled plans for its ISSA-J1 mission, a pioneering effort set to launch in 2027. The spacecraft will approach and examine two retired Japanese satellites located in separate orbits, marking the world’s first commercial multi-orbit inspection in a single flight.[1][2] This demonstration addresses critical gaps in space situational awareness by providing close-up data on aging hardware that ground-based telescopes cannot capture.

Addressing the Space Debris Challenge

Defunct satellites like those targeted by ISSA-J1 pose growing risks in Earth’s crowded orbits. Without active telemetry or GPS signals, operators struggle to assess their condition, attitude, or potential for fragmentation. Astroscale’s mission fills this void through precise rendezvous and proximity operations.[3]

The company developed ISSA-J1 under Japan’s Small Business Innovation Research program, funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. A grant of up to $80 million supports this Phase III demonstration, with completion targeted for March 2028. Such initiatives underscore Japan’s commitment to orbital sustainability amid rising satellite deployments.

The Targets Under Scrutiny

ISSA-J1 will inspect the Advanced Land Observing Satellite, known as ALOS or Daichi, and the Advanced Earth Observing Satellite-II, or ADEOS-II (Midori-II). Both operated in sun-synchronous near-polar orbits but now drift as uncontrolled relics.[1][4]

ALOS supported land mapping until power loss ended its service. ADEOS-II, hampered by solar panel failure after less than a year, now resides in a slightly higher orbit. The mission will capture imagery of their structures, solar arrays spanning up to 24 meters, and signs of degradation after two decades in space.

Mission Operations Step by Step

The ISSA-J1 spacecraft, weighing about 650 kilograms with dimensions of roughly 1.3 by 1.6 by 2.2 meters, features 10 chemical and two electric thrusters for precise maneuvers. After launch, it will undergo system checks before targeting ALOS first.[1]

Operators will follow a methodical sequence:

• Deploy into orbit and verify communications and systems.
• Adjust trajectory to approach the first target at high relative velocity, starting observations from afar.
• Safely close the gap for detailed imaging without contact, assessing motion and condition.
• Depart the vicinity and transfer to the second orbit via propulsion burns.
• Repeat the approach, inspection, and exit for ADEOS-II.

This cycle demonstrates orbital transitions between 691 km and over 800 km altitudes, a feat unachieved commercially before.

Building on Proven Expertise

Astroscale draws from its ADRAS-J mission, completed in early 2026 after 293 days. That effort provided the first commercial close-up views of large debris, paving the way for ISSA-J1’s complexity. Nobu Okada, managing director of Astroscale Japan, emphasized the value: “On-orbit inspection provides critical insight into the condition of satellites that cannot be obtained from the ground.”[2]

The new mission advances rendezvous technologies for non-cooperative targets, essential for future debris removal and satellite servicing. It also aligns with international efforts, including a potential launch on India’s PSLV rocket from Sriharikota.

ISSA-J1 promises to transform how operators monitor end-of-life spacecraft, reducing collision risks and enabling proactive interventions. As orbits fill with thousands of objects, such inspections become vital for sustainable space access.[4]

This mission not only showcases private innovation but also sets a benchmark for global space safety. What do you think this means for the future of orbital cleanup? Tell us in the comments.

Sumi