A private Japanese company is planning a pioneering mission to inspect two defunct satellites in 2027. The effort, led by Astroscale, aims to demonstrate a novel capability for assessing space debris across multiple orbital regimes.
The mission, designated ISSA-J, will involve a single spacecraft visiting two different dead satellites. This approach represents a significant technical challenge, as the servicing vehicle must maneuver between distinct orbits to conduct its inspections. The mission's success would validate key technologies for future on-orbit servicing and debris removal operations.