Trash-collecting spacecraft will spread giant nets to grab space junk.
On a mission to pick up litter…in space!
Experts from Surrey Space Centre warn that space exploration could be put on hold for a generation if space junk is not removed.
Space debris travels around the Earth at several thousands of miles an hour. Meaning even small fragments of litter could destroy vital satellites and space stations.
University of Surrey scientists to lead a test mission, RemoveDEBRIS, to test low-cost debris removal technology in early 2017.
Since the beginning of the space age, over 7,000 tonnes of space junk has been generated – mostly empty rocket casings and dead satellites. Most of the objects launched into space are still orbiting the Earth, threatening collisions with active satellites. Our exhibit invites you to explore our flagship RemoveDEBRIS mission, which aims to be the first to test capture technologies that drag space junk back into the Earth’s atmosphere to burn up.
source University of Surre
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