In Development
ELSA-M
Commercial end-of-life servicer that docks with a prepared client satellite using a magnetic docking plate and drags it down to a disposal orbit. Designed to service multiple satellites on a single mission.
AstroscaleADRAS-J2
In Development
Debris removal servicer built for Phase II of JAXA's Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration program. It returns to the same spent H-IIA upper stage that ADRAS-J surveyed, captures it with a robotic arm, and deorbits it.
Latest update Sep 17, 2026
01
Current status
Contracted by JAXA after ADRAS-J proved the approach was possible; Astroscale Japan's board finalized the contract terms in an August 19, 2024 regulatory filing at ¥12B (~$82.1M) excluding tax. The company mission page now quotes approximately ¥13.2B including tax. On September 1, 2026 Astroscale selected Isar Aerospace to launch ADRAS-J2 on Spectrum from Andoya in Japan FY2027 (April 2027-March 2028). Spectrum reached orbit on its second flight on September 5, 2026. Q1 materials said capture-mechanism vibration tests at Tsukuba were complete and satellite AIT had started.
02
Specifications3
03
Upcoming milestones1
Announced next steps from Astroscale that mention ADRAS-J2.
2027-2028
Build and launch ADRAS-J2 to actually remove the rocket body
Complete the Phase II servicer for JAXA's debris removal program and return to the spent H-IIA upper stage that ADRAS-J surveyed, this time capturing it with a robotic arm and deorbiting it. On September 1, 2026 Astroscale selected Isar Aerospace to launch ADRAS-J2 on a Spectrum rocket from Andoya Spaceport, Norway. Spectrum reached orbit on September 5, 2026. Q1 materials said capture-mechanism vibration tests at Tsukuba were complete and satellite AIT had started. It would be the first commercial removal of a large piece of debris from orbit.
04
In the news2
Astroscale picks Isar Aerospace to launch ADRAS-J2
Astroscale Japan said on September 1, 2026 it selected Isar Aerospace to launch its ADRAS-J2 debris-removal spacecraft on a Spectrum rocket from Andoya Spaceport in Norway, targeting a 2027-2028 window. ADRAS-J2, contracted under JAXA's Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration program, will attempt to capture and deorbit the same derelict rocket upper stage that Astroscale's ADRAS-J spacecraft inspected up close before completing its mission earlier this year. It is Isar's second Astroscale launch contract, after being picked in March 2026 to fly the ELSA-M demonstration mission.
Astroscale finalizes ¥12 billion JAXA debris-removal contract
Astroscale Japan's board finalized the contract for Phase II of JAXA's Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration program, disclosed in an August 19 regulatory filing at roughly ¥12 billion ($82.1 million). The ADRAS-J2 spacecraft will grapple the same H-2A rocket upper stage currently being inspected by Astroscale's ADRAS-J and deorbit it, targeting launch in the company's fiscal year 2028.
05
More from Astroscale4
In DevelopmentLEXI
Life Extension In-Orbit servicer for geostationary satellites. It docks with an aging spacecraft and takes over stationkeeping and attitude control, adding years of revenue-generating life to a satellite that would otherwise be retired.
In DevelopmentAstroscale U.S. Refueler (APS-R)
Roughly 300 kg refueling spacecraft that transfers hydrazine to satellites in geostationary orbit, and refuels itself from an Orbit Fab propellant depot so it can service more than one client per mission.
- In Development
ISSA-J1
In-situ Space Situational Awareness inspection spacecraft that maneuvers to and photographs two retired Japanese satellites in different orbits on a single mission, using propulsion, electro-optical cameras, and proximity navigation without physical contact.
06
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