A photo from open sources
Space debris, although invisible to us from Earth, poses a significant threat to global communications the networks and lives of astronauts. Japan Space Agency teamed up with fishing equipment company in attempt to clear the planet’s orbit from the accumulated on it garbage.
In 2011, the Japan Aerospace Research Agency (JAXA) teamed up with Nitto Seimo – a company producing fishing nets known for their durability. Together they developed a special network that is theoretically capable of capturing at least some of the approximately 100 million pieces of man-made debris orbiting our planet.
The first test of this high-tech fishing gear scheduled for late February.
“A satellite will be launched into orbit, which will deploy a network of length 300 meters, which in turn will create a magnetic field, attracting space debris, “writes The International Business Times. “This network of three strong and flexible metal fibers, will remain in the orbit of the Earth for about a year before what will be attracted to the planet by the force of gravity – which will burn the whole accumulated trash. ”
But how serious is the real problem of space garbage? According to NASA’s Orbit Clearing Program, the space zone between 900 and 1000 kilometers from its surface has already reached “supercritical” level of garbage density. This height range included in what scientists call the “low earth orbit”, on which contains most satellites – and the International space station.
NASA estimates that a piece of garbage is more than 1 centimeter in diameter, will collide with a satellite located at a low orbit every 5-6 years.
“A piece of garbage in one centimeter does not sound very impressive … however, speeds in low orbit typically exceed 7 kilometers in second – and this is 30 times faster than a jet plane, “reports Discovery News. “A flake of paint from a satellite once plotted a groove in the window of a space shuttle the size of a coin. ”
Theoretically, an ordinary metal bolt could knock out of orbit communication satellites (which will make many smartphones), weather monitoring, GPS systems, broadcasting. A shrapnel formed from the collision of two satellites may even launch a “chain reaction” that will make some orbits unsuitable for use.
And larger pieces can even punch a hole in the space station, endangering the lives of astronauts.
According to JAXA, they explored several possible alternative methods of garbage disposal. Among them were “electrodynamic leash” that would slow down the debris before level when they can re-enter the atmosphere, and a satellite with ion engines that would use their boosters to bring garbage into a lower orbit.
An even more bizarre idea was a giant “A foam ball a kilometer in diameter” to which would stick the wreckage.
If the upcoming tests are successful, the magnetic network JAXA will be deployed as early as 2019.
NASA Japan
