With the endless march of technological progress, companies need to create new satellites to keep everything networked. The problem with launching new satellites into space is that, what with space being space and all, we don’t really have a way to retrieve the old ones. There is a lot of inert junk floating around the planet. Surrey University decided to combat satellites with satellites, launching a new satellite to mop up the old ones.
Launched back in April, the RemoveDebris satellite has been docked at the International Space Station as it awaited testing. Recently, a simulated debris target was launched out, allowing RemoveDebris to test its net function. The net shot from the satellite and captured the debris.
Depending on RemoveDebris’s orbit, an actual piece of debris captured in the net would either be shot toward the Earth and burn up in the atmosphere, or be launched into deep space where it can be some other planet’s problem. The net is one of two debris removal tools utilized by RemoveDebris, the other being a harpoon designed to reel junk in. Testing for the harpoon function is set to be conducted in January.
