Otsuka A. et al., J. Harmoniz. Res. Eng. 2015, 3(1), 28-36 www.johronline.com 28 | Page For Correspondence: akiko.otsuka@z8.keio.jp Received on: January 2015 Accepted after revision: January 2015 Downloaded from: www.johronline.com ISSN 2347 – 7393 1. Introduction After Sputnik was launched in 1957, more than 5,000 spacecraft had been launched to Earth- centered orbits of various heights. Utilization of space has created new markets, for example, satellite communication, global positioning, weather forecast etc. and our life depends deeply on space technologies, enjoying benefits from space. For this reason, space environment around the earth is very valuable for us. Through our space exploration and utilization activities, we have left many man-made objects in space and they are called space debris. Definition of space debris is that “Space debris are all man-made objects, including their fragments and parts, whether their owners can be identified or not, in Earth orbit or re-entering the dense layers of the atmosphere that are non- functional with no reasonable expectation of their being able to assume or resume their intended functions or any other functions for which they are or can be authorized." 1 With increasing space debris, space environment is facing danger. This was pointed out by Nagatomo mentioning the need of space traffic control because with emerging huge Abstract: Throughout our space development and utilization activities since 1957, we have left many man-made objects in space, what is called, space debris. Situation of space development is getting worse as the number of space debris increases and the Active Debris Removal (ADR) is one of the technical feasible solutions to remedy space environment immediately. However the ADR is still under an early phase of concept study, though the other solutions have been in action. The purpose of this paper is to assess the ADR architecture in order to propose some solutions for making the ADR in action from the system engineering point of view. Through analyzing the ADR architecture by customer value chain analysis (CVCA) and comparing with Greenhouse Gas scheme, several clues have been found to bring the ADR in action. In addition, the ADR architecture was reviewed from legislative point of view to reveal new aspects of the ADR. Keywords: space debris, mitigation, active debris removal, ADR, system engineering Journal Of Harmonized Research in Engineering 3(1), 2015, 28-36 SYSTEM ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON THE ACTIVE DEBRIS REMOVAL (ADR) ARCHITECTURE Akiko Otsuka*, Naohiko Kohtake Ph.D, Yoshiaki Ohkami Ph.D Graduate School of System Design and Management Keio University 4-1-1, Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama Japan 223-8526 Japan Original Research Article Journal Of Harmonized Research (JOHR)