The foam-throwing spacecraft could pick up space debris ‘like a spider’s web’ and drop pieces into Earth’s atmosphere to burn
- Orbiting space debris continues to multiply and a Russian startup has a solution
- Foam Debris Catcher is a series of small, autonomous satellites
- Inside the device is an adhesive polymer foam that it uses to trap debris.
- Once captured, the satellite throws the trash into Earth’s orbit where it is burned.
Scientists fear that the 129 million pieces of space debris currently orbiting the Earth could duplicate themselves in massive swarms that prevent humans from exploring the last frontier.
Now, a Russian startup claims to have a solution: a foam-throwing spacecraft that catches the pieces like a spider’s web.
StartRocket is developing a ‘Foam Debris Catcher’, which is a series of small, autonomous satellites that collects and exorbitates space debris using an adhesive polymer foam.
Once within reach, the satellite drags the debris toward Earth and throws it into our planet’s atmosphere to burn.
The firm is currently conducting experiments both on Earth and in space, with its first orbital test scheduled for 2023.
Scroll down to watch the video
StartRocket is developing a ‘Foam Debris Catcher’, which is a series of small, autonomous satellites that collects and exorbitates space debris using an adhesive polymer foam
StartRocket consultant Alexander Shaenko, who has a doctorate in technical science, said: “The problem of space debris is becoming increasingly serious and presents significant risks to current and future technology initiatives and developments for space exploration.” .
‘In the current situation, it is important that the scientific community act together to find the solution. The Foam Debris Catcher is the most economical and scalable solution.
“We achieve these costs by using all possible technologies: step-by-step launch, high-precision mathematical models, and Earth-based infrastructure that tracks waste.”
The firm plans to send a barrel-shaped Foam Debris Collector aboard a ship into space.
The firm plans to send a barrel-shaped Foam Debris Collector aboard a ship into space.
The autonomous 110-pound satellite would free itself from the spacecraft and spew tentacle-shaped foam buds when close to debris clouds.
The 110-pound autonomous satellite would free itself from the spacecraft and drop tentacles like foam buds when close to debris clouds.
The foam traps the garbage and throws it into the Earth’s atmosphere to burn it.
More than 128 million debris is strewn across space and can travel as fast as a bullet.
These pieces may destroy satellites, telescopes, spacecraft, and a NASA scientist fears they may eventually create Kessler’s syndrome.
This theoretical scenario was proposed by NASA scientist Donald Kessler in 1978, who says that the density of objects in low Earth orbit could increase to a point where collisions occur that generate more space debris to the point that it is dangerous. for humans to venture planet.
The foam is released when the satellite detects a cloud of debris
Once within reach, the satellite drags the debris toward Earth and throws it into our planet’s atmosphere to burn. The company is currently conducting experiments both on Earth and in space, with its first orbital test scheduled for 2023.
A recent study has proposed a way to limit the number of satellites in space to help lessen the problem of growing space debris.
Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder say an international agreement would be needed to collect operators’ orbital usage fees for each device launched into orbit.
The amount charged would increase each year through 2040 to $ 235,000, according to the team, which says the orbit becomes lighter each year, reducing risky costs.
What is space debris? MORE THAN 170 MILLION PIECES OF DEAD SATELLITES, SPENT ROCKETS AND PAINT FLAKES pose ‘THREAT’ TO THE SPACE INDUSTRY
There are an estimated 170 million pieces of so-called ‘space junk’ left behind after missions that can be as large as worn-out rocket stages or as small as flaking paint, in orbit alongside some $ 700 billion (£ 555 billion) of space infrastructure.
But only 22,000 are tracked, and with the fragments capable of traveling at speeds above 16,777 mph (27,000 km / h), even small parts could seriously damage or destroy satellites.
However, traditional gripping methods don’t work in space, as the suction cups don’t work in a vacuum and the temperatures are too low for substances like duct tape and glue.
Magnet-based clamps are useless because most of the debris in orbit around Earth is non-magnetic.
Around 500,000 pieces of man-made debris (artist’s impression) currently orbit our planet, made up of disused satellites, pieces of spacecraft, and spent rockets.
Most of the proposed solutions, including the debris harpoons, require or provoke forceful interaction with the debris, which could push those objects in unexpected and unforeseen directions.
Scientists point to two events that have seriously worsened the problem of space debris.
The first was in February 2009, when an Iridium telecommunications satellite and Kosmos-2251, a Russian military satellite, accidentally collided.
The second was in January 2007, when China tested an anti-satellite weapon on an old Fengyun weather satellite.
Experts also pointed to two sites that have become worryingly messy.
One is the low Earth orbit used by satnav satellites, the ISS, China’s manned missions, and the Hubble telescope, among others.
The other is in geostationary orbit, and is used by communications, meteorological, and surveillance satellites that must maintain a fixed position relative to Earth.
.
