SpaceX to Launch "Space Janitor" to Clear Earth's Orbit
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will take to space next Monday (02) a very important device. We're talking about RemoveDebris, which will be responsible for literally cleaning Earth's orbit. The space cleaner will collect debris from ancient satellites and other space objects that are no longer useful and throw them back into the atmosphere of our planet.
The idea is that this debris will be destroyed upon re-entry and no longer pose a risk to the International Space Station (ISS) and communication satellites that are actually active in orbit. In 2016, a small debris wandering through space hit an ERA window and even cracked the spaceship's glass.
As a result, a consortium of several space companies, led by the British University Surrey University, developed RemoveDebris. Part of the funding for the research and construction of the equipment has been provided by the European Commission, which has an interest in protecting its orbiting satellites, as well as the ERA itself.
7.6 tons of trash
Because these individual objects are relatively light, it takes a long time to fall naturally to Earth.
It is estimated that there are more than 7.6 tons of useless debris roaming the Earth's orbit, and many telephones are traveling faster than a bullet, at over 48, 000 km / h. These objects can destroy satellites that are still working and thus create even more debris in space. Because these individual objects are relatively light, they take a long time to fall naturally to Earth. In this way, a space cleaner such as RemoveDebris became necessary.
According to The Telegraph, the device will dock with the ISS once it reaches space and then automatically launch into orbit to begin its experimental cleaning work. To do so, he will have a net and a harpoon. We do not know, however, how long he can be doing this work up there or even how many objects he should throw on Earth at this first moment.
SpaceX to Launch "Space Janitor" to Clear Earth's Orbit via TecMundo
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