Electron | On Closer Inspection (ADRAS-J)
Launch Successful
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Instantaneous launch window.
Launch Window
Feb. 18, 2024, 2:52 p.m. - Feb. 18, 2024, 2:52 p.m.
Instantaneous launch window.
Feb. 18, 2024, 2:52 p.m. - Feb. 18, 2024, 2:52 p.m.
The Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J) mission consists of a spacecraft developed and operated by Astroscale aiming to rendezvous with and characterize a large piece of debris. Its target is the H-2A upper stage left in Low Earth Orbit after the launch of the GOSAT Earth observation satellite in 2009.
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Launch success.
Liftoff.
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Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage. It is also used as a suborbital testbed (called HASTE) for hypersonics research.
See DetailsRocket Lab is an American aerospace manufacturer with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. The company develops lightweight, cost-effective commercial rocket launch services. The Electron Program was founded on the premise that small payloads such as CubeSats require dedicated small launch vehicles and flexibility not currently offered by traditional rocket systems. Its rocket, the Electron, is a light-weight rocket and is now operating commercially. The company is also producing a variety of spacecrafts and spacecrafts components.
INFO WIKI
Astroscale's ADRAS-J Spacecraft Continues Inspection of Japanese Upper Stage Following "Unexpected Attitude Anomaly" Abort
An Astroscale spacecraft is continuing to inspect a Japanese upper stage left in low Earth orbit while demonstrating it can do so safely.
Astroscale is moving into the next phase of an inspection missions as its spacecraft approaches a derelict upper stage in low Earth orbit.
The recent increase in launches to meet growing demands for communications and observation satellites is adding more and more spacecraft to orbit every year. This is especially true in the more congested low-Earth orbit (LEO).
A Rocket Lab Electron launched an Astroscale spacecraft that will rendezvous with and inspect a spent upper stage in low Earth orbit as a precursor to removing it.
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