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Tag: harpoon

Orbital debris graphic that was computer generated from a distant oblique vantage point to provide a good view of the object population in the geosynchronous region (around 35,785 km altitude). (NASA Orbital Debris Program Office)

Could a Net and a Harpoon Cleanup Space Junk?

April 5, 2018

The Chinese space station Tiangong 1’s recent fall to Earth, in an unguided re-entry, has raised discussion again on how to address the nagging problem of space junk or orbital debris circling our planet. The website for NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office indicates that more than 21,000 orbital debris, larger than 10 cm, are known […]

One capture concept being explored through ESA's e.Deorbit system study for Active Debris Removal - capturing the satellite in a net attached to either a flexible tether - as seen here - or a rigid connection. ((c) ESA)

Fishing in Outer Space for Bigger Junk

March 23, 2015

Going back in time to tackle 21st century problems, the European Space Agency (ESA) has been testing the effectiveness of some old fishing net technology as a way to grab and retrieve larger pieces of debris in space such as inactive satellites or spent rocket boosters. The space agency tested the old fishing net technology, […]

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