He appreciates 1.2 million pieces of scrap Floating larger than 1 cm (0.4 in) in Earth’s orbit, each could cause serious damage if it collided with operational space equipment.
This problem has inspired scientists to propose some strange cleaning solutions.
Sticky satellites
Most space debris was not designed to be collected, so docking with it in space is a major challenge. A team of researchers in Germany is working on a solution inspired by… Sticky feet of geckos.
Gecko feet stick to walls due to van der Waals forces, which are weak interactions between the electrical charges of atoms. The plan is to launch a satellite with a surface covered in a gecko-inspired synthetic material that will stick to passing debris.
Alternatively, the sticky substance can be tied to a line and squirted out, catching debris much like a chameleon’s tongue catches insects. The satellite can then pull the object back into Earth’s atmosphere, where it will burn up upon its return.
Robotic claws
Several groups have suggested use Robotic Arms, tentacles or tentacles to grab space junk in orbit.
For example, the European Space Agency Evolving A 500 kg (1,100 lb) vehicle equipped with four tentacle-like robotic arms. Its mission – to capture the defunct PROBA-1 satellite – is scheduled to launch in 2029.
Space bayonets
The alternative proposal includes equipping a Satellite with harpoonwhich can travel at speeds of 20 meters per second (66 feet per second), distorting space debris with a spiky spear.
Experience the led system Researchers at the University of Surreysucceeded in hitting a test target in orbit. However, space harpoons have not yet been deployed to capture real space debris.
Laser cannons
Instead of going through the trouble of docking with space junk, why not deorbit it?
In 2015, researchers in Japan Suggested Mounting a 500,000-watt laser on a satellite to patrol in low Earth orbit and blast debris into smaller pieces, which will return to Earth more quickly.
alternative solution, Researched by NASA in 2011a laser on Earth will be used to expel space junk from the work of satellites.
Spaceships
Engineers weren’t thinking about the cleaning process when they built the satellites in orbit today, but that could all change in the future.
It was the Japanese Space Agency Develop a space lassoalso known as an electrodynamic tether, which can be attached to new satellites before launch.
The 700 meters (about 2,300 feet) long connecting cable will be unwound at the end of the satellite’s life and captured Earth’s magnetic fieldTowing the vehicle to the end of the fire upon re-entry.
This article is an answer to the question (posed by Alfie Hughes, Stoke-on-Trent) “How can we clean up space junk?”
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