Estimation 1.2 million junk items Objects larger than 1 cm (0.4 inch) are floating in Earth’s orbit and can cause significant damage if they impact functioning space equipment.
This problem has inspired scientists to propose some rather strange cleanup solutions.
sticky satellite
Docking with space junk in space is a big challenge because most space junk is not designed to be collected. A team of German researchers is working on a solution that includes: gecko sticky feet.
The gecko’s feet stick to walls because of van der Waals forces, which are weak interactions between atomic charges. The plan is to launch a satellite coated with a gecko-inspired synthetic material that will stick to passing debris.
Alternatively, you can attach a sticky material to a string and cast it to trap debris like a chameleon’s tongue traps insects. The satellite could then pull the object into Earth’s atmosphere, where it could burn up on re-entry.
robot tentacles
Some groups have proposed using robotic arms, claws, or tentacles to grab space debris in orbit.
For example, the European Space Agency is developing a 500 kg (1100 lb) spacecraft with four tentacle-like robotic arms. Its mission is to capture the vanished PROBA-1 satellite and is scheduled to launch in 2029.
space mori
As an alternative, satellite with a harpoonwhich can fire at 20 meters per second (66 feet per second) and skewers space debris with a barbed spear.
Led system trial Researchers at the University of Surreysuccessfully pierced a test target in orbit with a harpoon. Despite this, Space Mori has not yet been deployed to capture actual space debris.
laser cannon
Rather than go through the trouble of docking with space junk, why not just send it out of orbit?
In 2015, Japanese researchers proposed The satellite would be equipped with a 500,000-watt laser that would orbit in low orbit, blowing debris into smaller chunks and returning them to Earth more quickly.
Another solution is Researched by NASA in 2011will use lasers on Earth to sweep space debris out of the way of satellite operations.
space throw
Today, engineers didn’t have cleanup in mind when they built satellites in orbit, but that could all change in the future.
Japan’s Space Agency Development of space lassoalso known as an electrodynamic tether, can be attached to new satellites before launch.
The 700 meters (about 2,300 feet) of conductive cable will unravel at the end of the satellite’s life and become entangled in Earth’s magnetic field, dragging the spacecraft to its fiery end on re-entry.
This article (by Alfie Hughes of Stoke-on-Trent) answers the question: “How can we clean up space junk?”
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