FYI: Japanese Researchers Make Breakthroughs in Space Debris Tracking and Removal
There is a significant amount of debris floating around in space, much of it originating from defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and other man-made objects. Recent estimates indicate that over 25,000 such objects are currently orbiting Earth. Until recently, we haven’t had many chances to closely examine these objects and understand how the harsh conditions of space affect them over time.
Japanese Probe Investigates Aging Rocket
A Japanese probe has been tracking a malfunctioning rocket stage for several months. According to a recent report from Ars Technica, the probe has started to send back detailed findings about the condition of this aging rocket. This particular rocket was launched over 15 years ago, and its current state provides a unique opportunity to study the effects of long-term space exposure on large man-made objects.
The rocket in question, part of Japan’s H-IIA launch system, measures over 35 feet in diameter and weighs about three tons. It has been floating high above Earth since it was used to launch a weather research satellite in January 2009. Researchers have been monitoring this rocket, hoping it remains stable and doesn’t collide with other objects in orbit.
Astroscale Japan’s Debris Removal Mission
Japan’s effort to tackle space debris includes an active mission by Astroscale Japan, which began its Astronomical Observation and Space Exploration season in 2020. The mission, which launched in February, aims to remove space debris, beginning with an investigation of the defunct H-IIA rocket.
According to the report, the ADRAS-J probe recently photographed the upper stage of the H-IIA rocket from a distance of several hundred meters, capturing the first publicly available images of space debris taken from another spacecraft using rendezvous and proximity operations.
Complex Maneuvers and Challenges
Since then, the probe has conducted more complex maneuvers around the upper stage of the H-IIA rocket, which has been uncontrollable since its initial mission. A recent attempt to perform a 360-degree orbit around the rocket was cut short due to an attitude anomaly detected by the probe, which automatically aborted the maneuver.
After identifying and fixing the problem, the mission team returned to the defunct rocket to further assess its condition. According to Astroscale, the rocket, akin to the size of a city bus, appears to be in relatively good shape with its outer hull intact, looking remarkably similar to when it was first launched. The team continues to monitor its rotation rate and speed to better understand how such debris behaves in the vacuum of space.
Future of Space Debris Cleanup
The next stage of the ADRAS-J program involves far more complex tasks. The ultimate goal is to capture and remove space debris, but this is tricky since the objects were not designed to be retrieved once in orbit. Data collected from the current mission will pave the way for the development of a second-generation spacecraft with the capability to capture and remove orbital debris.
Cleaning up space will require global cooperation, with proposals already put forward by institutions in Europe and the United States to address the problem over the next decade.
Conclusion
Japan’s Astroscale mission represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing issue of space debris. By closely examining the condition and behavior of abandoned objects in orbit, we can develop better strategies and technologies for space cleanup. It’s a challenging task, but one that is crucial for the future of space exploration and satellite deployment.
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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
