ASTROSCALE to Launch in 2019 on Sweep-Space Mission

There is a unique venture in Sumida, Tokyo, called Astroscale founded in 2013 with a grand mission of removing the growing number of space debris. The company anticipates all future satellites to mount metal plates. Umm?

Astroscale is a Singapore-based satellite services company. In a nutshell, they are planning to launch a magnet-mounted satellite to draw and collect space debris - hence the metal plates.

ASTROSCALE PTE. LTD was founded by Nobu Okada in Singapore in 2013 to address the growing threat of space debris. Okada recruited a team of Space Sweepers" composing of experts from various backgrounds with key experience to reliable solutions to address the global issue of space debris.

On space debris, Nobu Okada has this to say:

"Space is full of debris. Right now some 1400 artificial satellites are flying in space and debris over 10 centimeters alone over 23 thousand. Smaller debris that we can not see through the radar on earth, but I presume as many as 100 million or even 1 billion of them are actually in orbit.

"Each debris used to be some part of a satellite or rocket - bigger ones are about the size of a motor coach.
"If left unattended, space will turn a sea of debris in 30  years - out of use, so to speak. No space, no satellites and no life of our own."

Astroscale is the only debris-cleaning venture in the world. Its founder Nobu Okada was a space geek when young and even joined NASA's astronaut training program. He chanced to meet Japanese astronaut Mamoru Mori, whose words of encouragement and advice prompted him to dive into the world of space-related businesses.

Asked about Mori, Nobu produced a private message from him reading: "To Nobu Okada: Space awaits you. Mamoru Mori, August 7, 1988".(Nathan Shiga) 

Source: Dentsu ho