STARS-II

STARS-II (Space Technology Advanced Research System-II) is a Japanese satellite project focused on space tether technology and debris mitigation. It is a follow-up mission to the original STARS (Space Tethered Autonomous Robotic Satellite) launched in 2009. The primary goal of STARS-II is to demonstrate the deployment and behavior of a long tether in space, which could potentially be used for deorbiting space debris or for other advanced space applications like propulsion or sensing.

The mission involved two small satellites connected by a long, thin tether. After deployment, the tether dynamics and the ability to control the separation and relative positioning of the two satellites were investigated. The project was led by Shizuoka University in Japan. Specific research interests involved characterizing the effects of solar radiation pressure and atmospheric drag on the tethered system. Observations and collected data were meant to enhance understanding of tether dynamics in the space environment, providing data for future tethered satellite missions. While initially planned to demonstrate deorbiting capabilities, the mission mainly focused on the deployment and control aspects of the tether.