Isar Aerospace signs launch contract with Astroscale Japan
Munich, 1 September 2026 – Isar Aerospace has signed a launch service agreement with Astroscale Japan Inc. to launch the active debris removal mission ADRAS-J2 aboard its Spectrum launch vehicle. Part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration project, ADRAS-J2 is targeted for launch between 2027 and 2028 from Isar Aerospace's dedicated launch pad at Andøya Space in Norway.
The agreement marks Isar Aerospace's second launch contract with the Astroscale group, following the ELSA-M In-Orbit Demonstration mission signed with Astroscale UK in March 2026. It also highlights the increasing demand for missions that require precise orbital insertion and tailored launch profiles, capabilities Spectrum is designed to deliver with up to one ton of payload capacity to low Earth orbit.
ADRAS-J2 will demonstrate active debris removal by safely approaching and capturing a non-cooperative rocket upper stage. The target object measures approximately 11 meters in length, four meters in diameter and weighs around three tons.
Stella Guillen, Chief Commercial Officer of Isar Aerospace, said: “ADRAS-J2 is the kind of mission that defines the future of space operations. It requires precision, flexibility, and the ability to reach the right orbit at the right time. That is exactly what our launch vehicle Spectrum is built for. We are delighted to be working with the global Astroscale group again on another pioneering mission. This second launch agreement reflects the confidence our customers place in our team and technology and deepens a partnership that is advancing the next generation of space missions.”
Nobu Okada, founder and CEO of Astroscale, said: “ADRAS-J2 is a pioneering mission that aims to achieve the world’s first removal of legacy space debris that has remained in orbit for decades and was never designed for removal. After more than half a century of human activity in space, the number of debris objects in orbit continues to increase, posing a growing threat to the long-term sustainability of the space environment. Launch marks the beginning of this important mission, and we are pleased to partner with Isar Aerospace, whose launch flexibility and commitment to meeting our mission requirements make them a valuable partner for this landmark mission. We look forward to working together to deliver ADRAS-J2 into orbit.”
– ENDS –
About Isar Aerospace
The European space company Isar Aerospace offers launch services for transporting small and medium-sized satellites and satellite constellations into orbit. The launch vehicles used to transport these satellites are developed, manufactured, and tested almost entirely in-house. Headquartered near Munich, Germany, Isar Aerospace was founded in 2018 and has grown to over 400 employees, working across 5 international locations. Private funding from international investors provides strong backing for the company’s pioneering approach to scale and industrialize launch vehicle production through vertical integration. More information: www.isaraerospace.com.
About Astroscale
Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space. The company delivers a variety of innovative and scalable on-orbit servicing solutions, including life extension, refurbishment, upgrades, in-situ space situational awareness, end-of-life, and active debris removal. Since its first successful launch in March 2021, Astroscale has proven rendezvous and proximity operations technologies in orbit during the ELSA-d and ADRAS-J missions. Astroscale spacecraft have been selected for pioneering missions with JAXA, the U.S. Space Force, the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat. As more satellite operators adopt on-orbit servicing to routinely inspect, relocate, remove, and extend the life of spacecraft, the potential of a circular space economy — and a future of no waste in space — is being unlocked. Headquartered in Japan, Astroscale has a global presence with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Israel. More information: www.astroscale.com
Press Contact Isar Aerospace
Franziska Kegel
Press Contact Astroscale Japan
