CubeSats Catch Space Debris
Tiny, Semi-Autonomous, Cheap
New Invention: Trash Collector for Space
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing tiny OSCaR CubeSats for trash collection in space. The small satellites are designed to spot, capture, trap and deorbit space debris. The capture is performed by nets onboard. The European Space Agency estimates 129 million pieces of space debris orbiting at such high speeds even small pieces can do damage.
Inexpensive and Effective
The team at Rensselaer is developing OSCaR as an affordable means to eliminate the debris. OSCaR stands for Obsolete Spacecraft Capture and Removal. The system consists of three linked CubeSat modules, each with distinct functions.
In Orbit
OSCaRs would be launched into orbit. They'll use radar, thermal and optical imaging systems to locate space debris and deploy their nets to capture it. Each OSCaR can carry four pieces of debris. After finished their trash collection, they'll be programmed to deorbit and destroy themselves and the space debris.
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| Source: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
New Invention: Trash Collector for Space
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing tiny OSCaR CubeSats for trash collection in space. The small satellites are designed to spot, capture, trap and deorbit space debris. The capture is performed by nets onboard. The European Space Agency estimates 129 million pieces of space debris orbiting at such high speeds even small pieces can do damage.
Inexpensive and Effective
The team at Rensselaer is developing OSCaR as an affordable means to eliminate the debris. OSCaR stands for Obsolete Spacecraft Capture and Removal. The system consists of three linked CubeSat modules, each with distinct functions.
In Orbit
OSCaRs would be launched into orbit. They'll use radar, thermal and optical imaging systems to locate space debris and deploy their nets to capture it. Each OSCaR can carry four pieces of debris. After finished their trash collection, they'll be programmed to deorbit and destroy themselves and the space debris.
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