World-first multi-orbit satellite inspection planned for 2027 by Japanese firm
Orbital cleanup firm Astroscale has revealed new details regarding its ISSA-J1 mission, which it claims will constitute a “major step forward for commercial in-orbit inspection and space situational awareness capabilities.”
The company has unveiled the client satellites as well as the concept of operations for the mission, which is scheduled to launch in 2027.
The ISSA-J1 mission will break new ground by inspecting two retired Japanese satellites in two different orbits. This will be a world-first for a commercial company.
ISSA-J1: Astroscale’s new mission to inspect objects in different orbits
As we enter a new space age, defunct satellites and space debris are increasingly piling up in Earth’s orbit. Preventing the area surrounding Earth from becoming overly congested is crucial to the safety of space operations moving forward.
In 2024, Astroscale successfully carried out ADRAS-J, the world’s first commercial mission to approach and rendezvous with space debris. The company aims to offer low-cost rendezvous and deorbit operations. Now, in a bid to further demonstrate its capabilities, the company is preparing for its ISSA-J1 mission.
“On-orbit inspection provides critical insight into the condition of satellites that cannot be obtained from the ground,” Nobu Okada, managing director of Astroscale Japan, explained in a press statement.
“By inspecting multiple objects in different orbits in a single mission, ISSA-J1 will help demonstrate new capabilities that support satellite operators in understanding spacecraft condition and preparing for future servicing.”
ISSA-J1 is being developed under Japan’s Small Business Innovation Research Program. The mission will inspect two retired Japanese satellites—ALOS and ADEOS‑II—to determine their attitude, rotation behavior, and signs of degradation. Both satellites were launched into orbit in the early 2000s
Demonstrating critical space capabilities
If all goes to plan, ISSA-J1 will launch to orbit next year. Once in space, the mission spacecraft will be deployed to undergo initial system and communication checks. Shortly afterwards, it will begin on-orbit operations.
Once operational, the ISSA-J1 spacecraft will adjust its orbit and approach ALOS. It will first observe the satellite from a distance, before gradually reducing that distance and coming in for close-range imaging. Afterward, the spacecraft will gradually transition to a different orbit via a series of trajectory adjustments. It will then repeat the same approach with ADEOS‑II.
The ISSA-J1 mission will perform “close‑range observations of multiple objects, closer than traditional monitoring methods, demonstrating new possibilities for on‑orbit inspection services,” Astroscale explained in its statement. “This capability supports safer and more efficient satellite operations throughout the mission lifecycle, from anomaly response to preparation for future servicing,” it added.
According to Astroscale, the mission will demonstrate its ability to approach multiple clients in different orbits within a single mission, using a single spacecraft.
Separately, the company also aims to demonstrate orbital refueling in the near future. Orbital refueling is critical to the future of space travel, as it will enable prolonged satellite missions, as well as deep space travel. As part of a mission scheduled for this summer, Astroscale will perform the first-ever on-orbit hydrazine refueling of US Space Force (DoD) satellites in geostationary orbit.
