Electron launches ADRAS-J

ADRAS-J launch: Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle launched the “On Closer Inspection” mission, the Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J) satellite for Astroscale Japan Inc., from Pad B at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, on 18 February 2024, at 14:52 UTC (19 February, at 03:52 NZDT). According to Astroscale, “The ADRAS-J mission will be the world’s first attempt to safely approach and characterize an existing piece of large debris through Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) and is the start of a full-fledged debris removal service” Credit: Astroscale/Rocket Lab