The Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J) spacecraft. Photo: Astroscale

Astroscale Japan has signed a new marketing partnership deal with three companies in Japan. The MoU with Yusen Logistics, Mizuho Bank, and Kids Station, will see these companies support Astroscale’s space debris removal demonstration satellite, Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J). Astroscale announced the deal, Dec. 15.

The ADRAS-J satellite is designed to rendezvous with a Japanese upper stage rocket body, demonstrate proximity operations, and obtain images, delivering observational data to better understand the debris environment.   The mission has been selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for Phase I of its Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration Project. This mission is one of the world’s first technology demonstrations of removing large-scale debris from orbit.

“The ADRAS-J mission is critical to establishing on-orbit services towards the realization of space sustainability, and we appreciate everyone’s support for this project,” Miki Ito, managing director of Astroscale Japan, said in a statement.