In Development
ADRAS-J2
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.
AstroscaleISSA-J1
In Development
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.
Latest update Sep 14, 2026
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Current status
In final design, with manufacturing of flight components and operational planning underway ahead of assembly and testing. Q1 materials said satellite assembly, integration and verification plus electrical tests were continuing. Astroscale Japan signed a launch agreement with NewSpace India Limited to fly on a PSLV rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in spring 2027. Developed under Japan's MEXT SBIR Phase 3 fund.
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Specifications3
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Upcoming milestones1
Announced next steps from Astroscale that mention ISSA-J1.
Spring 2027
Fly ISSA-J1 and inspect two satellites in different orbits
Launch the roughly 650 kg multi-orbit inspection spacecraft on a NewSpace India Limited PSLV rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, the first dedicated PSLV launch ever procured by a Japanese entity, then approach and survey two retired Japanese satellites, ALOS and ADEOS-II, on a single flight using propulsion, electro-optical cameras, and proximity navigation. A commercial company has never inspected clients in two different orbits on one mission. The project (funded through Japan's MEXT SBIR program) is expected to run through Phase III with completion targeted for March 2028.
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