The rocket takes off from the Māhia Peninsula in Hawke's Bay. Photo: Supplied / Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab has successfully launched a mission on behalf of a Japanese company that is aimed at helping to deal with floating space junk.
Rocket Lab USA launched its 44th Electron rocket on Monday at Māhia, successfully deploying an orbital debris inspection satellite on behalf of Astroscale Japan.
The mission has been called named 'On Closer Inspection'.
Electron deployed a satellite for Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J), which has been designed to test technology and ways to monitor debris in orbit, also known as space junk, Rocket Lab said in a statement.
"The mission is the first phase in assessing the potential for satellites to rendezvous with orbital debris objects in future and assist in de-orbiting them, supporting space sustainability for future generations."
The rocket on the launch pad before take-off. Photo: Supplied / Rocket Lab
The 150kg ADRAS-J satellite will not be moving the debris itself, but will collect data for future clean-up missions.
The derelict rocket stage, the Japanese H-2A upper stage, was left in low Earth orbit after the launch of an observation satellite in 2009.
ADRAS-J will fly around it, inspecting it with cameras and sensors.
Astroscale's full mission will take between three and six months to complete.
Rocket Lab chief executive Peter Beck said the mission would be looking for innovative ways to reduce space junk "and ensure space remains safely accessible".
To enable the ADRAS-J satellite to rendezvous with its target in orbit, Rocket Lab had to design a mission with strict launch timing and precision orbital deployment parameters, the company said.
Astroscale founder and chief executive Nobu Okada said it was a milestone for his company and would help to create "a sustainable space environment".
It was Rocket Lab's second launch of 2024.