The satellite will be the first in the world to demonstrate technologies for attachment to space junk and its disposal
The ELSA-d - the world's first space cleaning satellite - was successfully launched and in the coming days will begin to demonstrate the technologies that allow attachment to space junk - as well as to 'wrong' satellites and moving them to another location in space. CEO of Astroscale Israel: The task of cleaning up space junk is one of the most critical tasks for the space user community
Astroscale Holdings Inc.'s ELSA-d (End-of-Life Services Astroscale Demonstrator) space cleaning satellite. (Astroscale), the market leader in the field of sustainability in space, has reached its destination in space, after being successfully launched from the Baikonur launch pad in Kazakhstan aboard a Soyuz launcher (together with the Technion's Adelis-Samson satellites), and in the coming days will begin its complex missions.
The ELSA-d is the first satellite in the world to go on a first commercial mission to prove the programming of the core technologies needed to attach to space junk and remove it from orbit. ELSA-d consists of two satellites: a service satellite (~ 175 kg) and a 'customer' satellite (~ 17 kg) that simulates space debris, which were launched side by side. The service satellite was developed to safely remove parts of space debris from orbit and is equipped with technologies that allow it to locate and connect safely to objects moving in space through a magnetic docking mechanism.
During the tests that will be carried out at an altitude of 550 km, a coupling in space will be demonstrated between the two satellites when they are stabilized, after which the target satellite will be released, it will spin and roll (tumbling) and again, an attempt will be made to connect to it. This is an extremely difficult task that has never been attempted in space, involving complex maneuvers to compare the spatial angular velocity of the two satellites.
"Our ground crew based in the UK have already contacted the ELSA-d and all initial tests are satisfactory," he said Seita Izuka, the mission manager. "We now look forward to moving to the next stages in the technological demonstration."
According to Novo Okada, founder and CEO of Astroscale, while demonstrating the groundbreaking capabilities of the ELSA-d in space junk disposal, the system will actually demonstrate and advance the business programming of providing active space junk disposal services. "The successful launch brings us closer to the realization of the vision of sustainability and safety in space and its development for the benefit of all humanity."
The European Space Agency estimates that 3,600 operational satellites share their orbits with 9,200 tons of space debris. According to estimates, 28,200 objects of debris are sailing around in space without any control (according to the Space Surveillance Network). With over 10,000 satellites planned to be launched into low orbit over the next ten years, there is an immediate need for proactive strategies for waste disposal and especially the disposal of satellites that have ended their lives, in order to maintain safe use of the LEO (low space orbits) orbits.
According to the CEO of Astroscale Israel, Arya Helzband, an entrepreneur, and one of the pioneers of the space industry in Israel, the progress of the space junk cleanup task is one of the most critical tasks for the space user community as a whole. "Astroscale is the only company in the world today that focuses exclusively on providing services in space both in low satellite orbit and in geosynchronous orbit (altitude 35,786 km above the Earth's equator)," says Halzband.
The company develops satellite solutions in a variety of sizes that will be used for a variety of tasks in space, such as extending the life of satellites, disposing of space debris and changing the position of satellites while in orbit in space. The company's base is located in Japan with a presence in the USA, UK, Singapore and Israel.
Astroscale Israel is considered among the global pioneers in the field of space operation services. The company, under its former name - Effective Space, developed innovative technologies for service in space and extending the life of satellites, and today these technologies are realized in the platform for extending the life of satellites and disposing of Astroscale space junk in the geosynchronous orbit.
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