Spread the trash bag wide!
ㆍ30,000 pieces of stubborn space debris to remove from orbit will necessitate innovative solutions from space technology startups.
ㆍSouth Korea-based startup ‘Kairo Space’ has developed a device that can be attached to a satellite at the end of its mission, enabling it to autonomously re-enter Earth’s atmosphere.
ㆍConsider the following ideas to enhance the aesthetics of the space environment: Space debris scavengers, Laser beam satellites, Cleaning spaceships, etc.
Dangerous, stay away!
Just as Earth’s roads are filled with vehicles, space orbits are now filled with satellites launched by nations. An even bigger problem is “space junk,” which is made up of debris from satellites that have completed their missions or used parts from rockets (there are nearly 30,000 of them). Like a game of dominoes, when a space object collides, the number of pieces can grow exponentially as it cascades into other space objects. This is known as the Kessler Syndrome. What if a piece of space junk crashed into Earth and landed on my head? That would be terrifying. Before that happens, A South Korea’s space technology startup has come up with an effective way to reduce space debris.
Spread the trash bag
When we dispose of trash, we put it in a bag. Inspired by this concept, Kairo Space has developed a technology to dispose of satellites by deploying a foldable bag. A device is attached to the satellite, and at the end of its mission, the 30-millimeter-thick fold unfurls like a spring. The satellite’s volume gradually increases, leading to greater air resistance. As a result, the satellite rapidly loses altitude and returns to Earth. Due to atmospheric friction, the satellite burns up into ash. The system does not require an onboard power supply and consists of lightweight, reliable, and easy-to-implement analog components.
Kairo Space has developed a technology that allows satellites to de-orbit themselves without the need for outside assistance, unlike traditional methods such as using robotic arms or high-powered magnets to capture and remove space debris. Catching space debris moving at about 7 kilometers per second is extremely difficult and operating a separate robotic arm is expensive. Kairo Space’s ‘Deorbit System’ prevents space debris by attaching a small cube satellite and allowing the satellite to self-destruct quickly after completing its mission. A 6-kilogram satellite orbiting 700 kilometers above Earth typically has an orbital lifespan of 85 years, but the company’s solution can reduce that to 18 years. Kairo Space’s cube-satellite ‘KSAT3U’ is currently undergoing a technology demonstration aboard the South Korean launch vehicle ‘Nuri’, which is scheduled to go into space in May 2023.
Promising Job: Space Debris Cleanup Technician
How many satellites will be launched in the next five years? Probably more than you can imagine, as the world’s space endeavors intensify. Sooner or later, space will be filled with debris that will travel between Earth and other planets. Some estimates put the market for space debris at $2.5 trillion. The first to clean up the debris will have an advantage in space. If you want to make a lot of money in space, become a creative space janitor.
Solutions are emerging from around the world. A Russia space startup, ‘StartRocket’, has developed a small, 50-kilogram autonomous satellite shaped like a barrel. This satellite can release sticky foam to capture space debris. Additionally, a South Korea company, ‘UZURO Tech‘, has devised a method to attach thrusters that can retrieve satellites and bring them back to Earth. As we look to the future, we may envision a scenario where space junk scavengers operate garbage trucks to collect space debris on a daily basis. These scavengers would be equipped with humanoid robots capable of shooting laser beams from finger sensors to disintegrate space debris. On occasion, they may also use small bombs to prevent collisions with space debris. Would you consider becoming the first space junk scavenger?
