Note that it caught a 'fake' piece of space debris that it launched specifically for this experiment. I'm curious how it would fare when trying to snag a real chunk moving at higher relative velocities.
I also had no idea it had a harpoon on it!
I feel oddly letdown that the harpoon won't be fired at a free floating object.
I am glad that they are testing a drag sail. It would be nice to require these in future LEO objects if they prove successful.
I concur with you in the drag sail. So many LEO projects are planning on using propulsion for deorbiting, which requires having a fairly working spacecraft. Drag sails or other deployables do not require a lot of power, are completely passive once deployed, and make the object even more trackable.