{"id":1680,"date":"2026-04-07T09:10:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T09:10:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/astroscale-japan-unveils-issa-j1-mission-to-inspect-retired-satellites-in-orbit\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T09:10:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T09:10:13","slug":"astroscale-japan-unveils-issa-j1-mission-to-inspect-retired-satellites-in-orbit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/astroscale-japan-unveils-issa-j1-mission-to-inspect-retired-satellites-in-orbit\/","title":{"rendered":"Astroscale Japan Unveils ISSA-J1 Mission to Inspect Retired Satellites in Orbit"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Astroscale<\/p>\n

Astroscale Japan, a subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings Inc, the market leader in satellite servicing and long-term orbital sustainability across all orbits, has unveiled the client satellites and concept of operations for its ISSA-J1 mission, scheduled for launch in 2027, which will inspect two retired Japanese satellites in orbit.<\/p>\n

The mission represents a major step forward for commercial in-orbit inspection and space situational awareness capabilities. By maneuvering to and inspecting two satellites in different orbits during a single mission, ISSA-J1 will demonstrate a world-first for a commercial company.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn-orbit inspection provides critical insight into the condition of satellites that cannot be obtained from the ground,\u201d said Nobu Okada, Managing Director of Astroscale Japan<\/strong>. \u201cBy inspecting multiple objects in different orbits in a single mission, I<\/em>SS<\/em>A-J1<\/em> will help demonstrate new capabilities that support satellite operators in understanding spacecraft condition and preparing for future servicing.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Space situational awareness systems play a critical role in tracking objects and preventing collisions in orbit. However, ground-based observations and non-Earth imaging cannot reveal the detailed conditions of a satellite hundreds of kilometers above Earth. On-orbit inspection provides close-range imagery and characterization data that enable operators to better assess satellite health and make informed operational decisions.<\/p>\n

This capability supports safer and more efficient satellite operations throughout the mission lifecycle, from anomaly response to preparation for future servicing. ISSA-J1 is being developed under Japan\u2019s Small Business Innovation Research Program, specifically the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Phase 3 Fund for large-scale technology demonstrations.<\/p>\n

\n

Also Read: What is Space Situational Awareness (SSA)?<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

Client Satellites<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ISSA-J1 mission will inspect two retired Japanese satellites launched in the early 2000s. By approaching them in orbit, ISSA-J1 will observe their current condition more than 20 years after launch, including their attitude, rotation behavior and signs of degradation. The mission will conduct close-range observations of multiple objects, closer than traditional monitoring methods, demonstrating new possibilities for on-orbit inspection services.<\/p>\n

Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS)<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Japanese name:<\/strong> \u201cDaichi\u201d<\/li>\n
  • Operational period:<\/strong> Jan. 24, 2006 \u2013 May 12, 2011<\/li>\n
  • Dimensions:<\/strong> 6 m x 3.5 m x 4.5 m<\/li>\n
  • Solar array panel:<\/strong> 22 m \u00d7 3 m<\/li>\n
  • Mass:<\/strong> about 4 metric tons<\/li>\n
  • Orbital altitude:<\/strong> about 691 km<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Advanced Earth Observing Satellite-II (ADEOS-II)<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Japanese name:<\/strong> \u201cMidori-II\u201d<\/li>\n
    • Operational period:<\/strong> Dec. 14, 2002 \u2013 Oct. 31, 2003<\/li>\n
    • Dimensions:<\/strong> about 5 m \u00d7 4 m \u00d7 4 m<\/li>\n
    • Solar array panel:<\/strong> 24 m \u00d7 3 m<\/li>\n
    • Mass:<\/strong> about 3.7 metric tons<\/li>\n
    • Orbital altitude:<\/strong> about 803 km \u2013 820 km<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Concept of Operations<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

      Following launch, the ISSA-J1 spacecraft will be deployed into Earth orbit and undergo initial system and communication checks before beginning on-orbit operations. Once operational, the spacecraft will adjust its orbit and gradually approach the first client, ALOS. Because objects in low Earth orbit travel at extremely high velocity, ISSA-J1 will begin observations from a safe distance while carefully assessing ALOS\u2019s motion and condition. The spacecraft will then progressively reduce the distance while maintaining safety, conducting close-range imaging and observation around ALOS without making physical contact.<\/p>\n

      After completing the first inspection, ISSA-J1 will depart from ALOS\u2019s orbit and transition to a different orbit where the second client, ADEOS-II, is located. This orbital transfer will be carried out gradually through a series of trajectory adjustments. Upon arrival, ISSA-J1 will repeat the same step-by-step approach and inspection process. Through this sequence, ISSA-J1 will demonstrate the ability to approach multiple clients in different orbits within a single mission, repeating a cycle of approach, inspection, departure and orbital transition.<\/p>\n

      ISSA-J1 Spacecraft Specifications<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Name:<\/strong> ISSA-J1 (In-situ Space Situational Awareness \u2013 Japan 1)<\/li>\n
      • Dimensions:<\/strong> about 1,300 mm \u00d7 1,600 mm \u00d7 2,200 mm (solar arrays deployed: about 1,300 mm \u00d7 10,000 mm \u00d7 2,200 mm)<\/li>\n
      • Mass:<\/strong> about 650 kg (with propellant loaded)<\/li>\n
      • Thrusters:<\/strong> 12 total<\/li>\n
      • 10 chemical propulsion thrusters<\/li>\n
      • 2 electric propulsion thrusters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Astroscale Japan, a subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings Inc, the market leader in satellite servicing and long-term orbital sustainability across all orbits, has unveiled the client satellites and concept of operations for its ISSA-J1 mission, scheduled for launch in 2027, which will inspect two retired Japanese satellites in orbit. The mission represents a major step forward […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[26,25,20],"class_list":["post-1680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-ground","tag-launch","tag-satellite"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1680"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1680"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1680\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}