Read Online Space Debris and Other Threats From Outer Space by Joseph N. Pelton - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Joseph N. Pelton
Tags: science, Nature, Environmental Conservation & Protection, Technology & Engineering, Physics, Astrophysics, Aeronautics & Astronautics, Space Science, Environmental Science
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could demonstrated as feasible—let alone being operationally implemented. It would thus likely require at least 5 years to implement, and it would be expensive because of the cost of manufacturing the solar sail and associated thrusters and robotic equipment and the launch costs. One solar sail would likely be required for each large debris element removed from orbit.
Policy and Legal Concerns
This approach does not raise specific space weapons concerns, but the international community would still likely wish the solar sail devices to be deployed via a global sanctioned organization than have a particular country (even a civil space agency) carry out these operations.
Tether-Deployed Nets
Technology
This system would deploy “nets” around smaller elements of space debris and speed up their de-orbit (This system has been called “Rustler” for “Round Up of Space Trash—Low Earth orbit Remediation”) [20]. The approach is relatively low technology in principle, but this is still more of planning concept than an operational program.
Level of Readiness and Feasibility
Much more R&D is required to develop an operationally viable system, but tether deployment might reduce launch costs.
Policy and Legal Concerns
This approach would probably not raise specific space weapons concerns, but the international community would still likely wish such devices to be deployed via a global sanctioned organization than have a particular country (even a civil space agency) carry out these operations.
Space Mist
Technology
Satellites would be deployed in LEO that could spray gas mists, and the frozen gas mist would serve to bring down small orbital debris elements [20].
Level of Readiness and Feasibility
The concept is well defined, and the key missing element would be an operational test to determine whether the mist would dissipate into space and not achieve the desired result. This technique could, however, be cost effective.
Policy and Legal Concerns
This approach does not raise specific space weapons concerns, but the international community would still likely wish spacecraft that would spray the mist to be deployed via a global sanctioned organization than have a particular country (even a civil space agency) carry out these operations.
Robotic Systems
Technology
Robots would clamp on to space debris and then essentially throw the object into an orbit that would rapid degrade. This concept is similar to that of the solar sail approach [20]. Yet another variation on this theme is known as Slingsat developed at the University of Texas A &M. This would not only seek to "sling" debris in a path toward de-orbit but use the momentum achieved to maneuver to the next debris element.
Level of Readiness and Feasibility
These various systems vary from quite expensive to the lower-end Slingsat. All require operational testing and certainly robotically-maneuverable are technically demanding. One approach would have the robot self destruct with the derelict spacecraft, while the other would have a series of detachable components that would fly into a de-orbiting path. In November 2010 the Russian Rocket and Space Corporation Energia announced an ambitious plan to build a large nuclear-powered robotically controlled “space pod” that would “knock” derelict satellites out of orbit and would operate over a 15-year lifetime. This technology has also been explored as a way to move the orbits of Earth-threatening meteorites or asteroids [21].
Policy and Legal Concerns
All such systems from the nuclear-powered Russian vehicle down to the slingsat systems might well be considered an anti-satellite weapon, and there would be concerns as to how such a system might be operated and who would control it. None of the proposed systems would be totally free of concerns and thus some agreed level of international control over the operations would likely be necessary to alleviate possible use of such systems as space
Policy and Legal Concerns
This approach does not raise specific space weapons concerns, but the international community would still likely wish the solar sail devices to be deployed via a global sanctioned organization than have a particular country (even a civil space agency) carry out these operations.
Tether-Deployed Nets
Technology
This system would deploy “nets” around smaller elements of space debris and speed up their de-orbit (This system has been called “Rustler” for “Round Up of Space Trash—Low Earth orbit Remediation”) [20]. The approach is relatively low technology in principle, but this is still more of planning concept than an operational program.
Level of Readiness and Feasibility
Much more R&D is required to develop an operationally viable system, but tether deployment might reduce launch costs.
Policy and Legal Concerns
This approach would probably not raise specific space weapons concerns, but the international community would still likely wish such devices to be deployed via a global sanctioned organization than have a particular country (even a civil space agency) carry out these operations.
Space Mist
Technology
Satellites would be deployed in LEO that could spray gas mists, and the frozen gas mist would serve to bring down small orbital debris elements [20].
Level of Readiness and Feasibility
The concept is well defined, and the key missing element would be an operational test to determine whether the mist would dissipate into space and not achieve the desired result. This technique could, however, be cost effective.
Policy and Legal Concerns
This approach does not raise specific space weapons concerns, but the international community would still likely wish spacecraft that would spray the mist to be deployed via a global sanctioned organization than have a particular country (even a civil space agency) carry out these operations.
Robotic Systems
Technology
Robots would clamp on to space debris and then essentially throw the object into an orbit that would rapid degrade. This concept is similar to that of the solar sail approach [20]. Yet another variation on this theme is known as Slingsat developed at the University of Texas A &M. This would not only seek to "sling" debris in a path toward de-orbit but use the momentum achieved to maneuver to the next debris element.
Level of Readiness and Feasibility
These various systems vary from quite expensive to the lower-end Slingsat. All require operational testing and certainly robotically-maneuverable are technically demanding. One approach would have the robot self destruct with the derelict spacecraft, while the other would have a series of detachable components that would fly into a de-orbiting path. In November 2010 the Russian Rocket and Space Corporation Energia announced an ambitious plan to build a large nuclear-powered robotically controlled “space pod” that would “knock” derelict satellites out of orbit and would operate over a 15-year lifetime. This technology has also been explored as a way to move the orbits of Earth-threatening meteorites or asteroids [21].
Policy and Legal Concerns
All such systems from the nuclear-powered Russian vehicle down to the slingsat systems might well be considered an anti-satellite weapon, and there would be concerns as to how such a system might be operated and who would control it. None of the proposed systems would be totally free of concerns and thus some agreed level of international control over the operations would likely be necessary to alleviate possible use of such systems as space
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