{"id":474,"date":"2026-04-17T15:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T15:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/?p=474"},"modified":"2026-04-17T15:15:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T15:15:00","slug":"japanese-private-spacecraft-to-investigate-two-satellites-that-will-disappear-in-2027-for-the-first-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hyokal.com\/?p=474","title":{"rendered":"Japanese private spacecraft to investigate two satellites that will disappear in 2027 for the first time"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Astroscale Japan <\/strong>We aim to change the landscape of satellite services. The ISSA-J1 mission is the first of its kind to inspect multiple defunct satellites in different orbits, providing important insights into the status of the satellites that were previously unattainable. This bold move represents a major step forward in space sustainability and in-orbit servicing capabilities.<\/p>\n

An ambitious mission: ISSA-J1 and its purpose<\/h2>\n

Astroscale Japan, a leader in space sustainability, ISSA-J1 mission<\/strong>is an unprecedented project aimed at inspecting two retired Japanese artificial satellites that are still in orbit. Scheduled to launch in 2027, ISSA-J1 will communicate with the Advanced Land Observation Satellite (ALOS) and the Advanced Earth Observation Satellite-II (ADEOS-II), both of which ceased functioning several years ago but remain in orbit.<\/p>\n

Launched in 2006, ALOS lost power in 2011 but continues to orbit Earth at an altitude of 429 miles (691 kilometers). ADEOS-II is a rather small satellite launched in 2002, but its mission ended prematurely after just one year due to a solar panel failure, and it currently orbits at an altitude higher than 500 meters. 500 miles (806 kilometers)<\/strong>. Despite their decommissioned status, both satellites remain in space, providing rare opportunities for advanced in-orbit inspections.<\/p>\n

The ISSA-J1 mission is poised to demonstrate capabilities never before possible. Rather than simply tracking satellites from Earth, Astroscale will send spacecraft to physically approach, inspect, and collect detailed data from these vanished satellites. The mission aims to provide satellite operators with critical insight into the condition of these objects, providing information not available from the ground.<\/p>\n

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[Released today]
ISSA-J1 ConOps video has been released.
You can see the entire story of “Space Safety Patrol”.
Please check it out\ud83d\udef0\ufe0f\ud83c\udf0f\ud83d\udef0\ufe0f\ud83d\udef0\ufe0f\ud83d\udcab<\/p>\n

Toward an era of \u201cgetting close and checking\u201d in orbit https:\/\/t.co\/5cj9HXm8QO#Space Safety Patrol<\/a> #ISSAJ1<\/a> #astroscale<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ziUwL4FYdC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014[Official]Astroscale Japan | Astroscale Japan (@astroscale_JP) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Why in-orbit inspection is a game changer<\/h2>\n

Shin Okada<\/strong>The Managing Director of Astroscale Japan emphasized the importance of in-orbit inspections, stating, “In-orbit inspections provide important insight into the status of satellites that cannot be obtained from the ground.” Once launched, satellites are often difficult to monitor due to loss of power or technical failures. By testing them in space, Astroscale provides a new form of diagnostics that is far more accurate and reliable than traditional methods.<\/p>\n

The ability to inspect these satellites in real time by getting up close and observing them could prove crucial for future missions aimed at satellite servicing, debris removal, and even satellite recovery. For example, understanding the structural integrity of older satellites can help engineers design better ways to repair or recycle them in orbit.<\/p>\n

Astroscale’s strategy for this mission is designed to push the boundaries of what is possible for satellite services. <\/p>\n

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“By inspecting multiple objects in different orbits in a single mission, ISSA-J1 will help demonstrate new capabilities to help satellite operators understand spacecraft health and prepare for future maintenance,” the company said in a statement.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This comprehensive approach is expected to lay the foundation for a future in which defunct satellites can be maintained or safely removed from orbit to reduce the growing threat of space debris.<\/p>\n

Innovative technology and future impact<\/h2>\n

The ISSA-J1 mission uses state-of-the-art technology to approach, inspect, and depart from these satellites in different orbits. This complex operation requires the spacecraft to switch between different orbits and perform multiple inspection sequences. “Through this sequence, ISSA-J1 will demonstrate its ability to approach multiple clients in different orbits within a single mission, repeating cycles of approach, inspection, departure, and orbit transfer,” Astroscale said.<\/p>\n

This approach provides significant advances in space situational awareness and operational flexibility. Satellite carriers have long faced the challenge of managing assets after losing operational capacity. The ISSA-J1 mission aims to provide a solution by demonstrating that active maintenance and inspection of satellites in various orbits is not only feasible but can be carried out efficiently.<\/p>\n

The impact on future space missions is immeasurable. By proving the feasibility of such in-orbit activities, Astroscale is paving the way for a more sustainable space environment. The technology demonstrated by ISSA-J1 could soon be used for tasks such as refueling, repairing, and even deorbiting older satellites to prevent the accumulation of space debris.<\/p>\n

A strategic move towards space sustainability<\/h2>\n

Astroscale Japan’s mission is supported by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, which recognizes the growing need for sustainable space activities. The ISSA-J1 mission is part of a larger effort to increase Japan’s space situational awareness and strengthen its in-orbit service capabilities. These efforts are essential as the number of satellites in space continues to grow, creating new challenges for carriers and space agencies around the world.<\/p>\n

Astroscale’s success with this mission will likely pave the way for other countries and private companies to follow suit, marking the beginning of a new era in space operations where sustainability and maintainability are priorities.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n