Network or capsule collection, space recycling center, on-board launcher, these are solutions for space cleaning

The issue of waste has become more prevalent even in space, forcing space agencies to maintain their future programs. More than 36,000 objects larger than 10 centimeters and 900,000 objects ranging in size from 1 to 10 centimeters are roaming Earth’s orbit today, according to the European Space Agency.

The issue of waste has become more prevalent even in space, forcing space agencies to maintain their future programs. Today, more than 36,000 objects larger than 10 centimeters and 900,000 objects ranging in size from 1 to 10 centimeters are roaming in Earth’s orbit, according to the European Space Agency.

NASA has just formalized a collaboration with TransAstra to develop round capsules, of various sizes, that would collect debris by placing themselves in orbit. They transport these items to a processing plant for repair or recycling. So there is no return to Earth. For its part, the Japanese space agency JAXA imagines, instead, a module that could launch a net to catch debris and return it to the atmosphere so that it can be destroyed “naturally.”

The Europeans at the European Space Agency signed a contract worth 86 million euros in 2020 with Switzerland Clear space The first removal of space debris from orbit.

Indeed with regard to Arianespace or the National Center for Space Studies (CNES), French startup Dark, which plans to settle in Bordeaux by 2024, is considering a lighter solution. “Today, no one has the means to quickly intervene to collect debris that could cause problems,” explains Clyde Lahin, co-founder. So the idea is to dock a launch pad on an aircraft to reach the orbital window that allows rapid access to an object within a few hours.

Through the telescope, the waste multiplies. “The situation today has passed the point of no return,” says the engineer. “The debris cloud in the movie Gravity is not a fantasy. The goal is therefore to search for larger objects: it is estimated that there are 8,000 rocket stages still in orbit at risk of collision. The public does not imagine the seriousness of the situation: but it could have a significant impact on Our GPS, on ships’ marine weather, etc. »