~ There are estimated to be more than 500,000 fragments of space debris measuring more than one centimeter in size, each hurtling around in space at a speed of 8 kilometers per second (km/s). If debris were to strike an artificial satellite, it could have a significant impact on the global meteorological observation and GPS (Global Positioning System) systems. Now, however, a string of Japanese startups are coming forward with solutions for removing space debris from rocket parts and defunct satellites, as Japan’s technology leads the way to resolving the environmental issues of outer space. ELSA-ｄ Space Sweepers On March 22 at 3:07 P.M. (JST), space startup company Astroscale (Sumida Ward, Tokyo), founded in 2013, launched the world’s first space debris removal demonstration satellite, the ELSA-d, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.