Science Illustrated

Satellite cleans up space in three ways

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For the first time ever, a satellite will show that it is possible to catch worn-out satellites and make the space junk burn in the atmosphere. On 20 June 2018, the RemoveDEBR­IS satellite was launched into orbit from the Internatio­nal Space Station. The 100 kg satellite is to test three methods for catching and slowing down space junk. RemoveDEBR­IS, which was developed by scientists from the British University of Surrey, will initially release a small nanosatell­ite, which it will try to catch in a net. Space junk comes in many shapes and sizes, so if the old fishing method can also be used in space, the net could prove to be the most versatile method for cleaning up.

Subsequent­ly, RemoveDEBR­IS will test another fishing method in space – harpooning. The advantage of catching space junk with harpoons is that they take up less space than nets. So, more can be brought at a time, and more satellites can be forced into the atmosphere at a time. Finally, RemoveDEBR­IS will unfold a sail that increases its air drag, so it will quickly burn up in the atmosphere.

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