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Astroscale Japan, a subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings, a provider of 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 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.
“On-orbit inspection provides critical insight into the condition of satellites that cannot be obtained from the ground,” said Nobu Okada, Founder & CEO of Astroscale. “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.”
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.
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’s Small Business Innovation Research Program, specifically the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Phase 3 Fund for large-scale technology demonstrations.
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