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The research project called RemoveDEBRIS is
an effort to test various space junk removal technologies. The project, which involves a 220-pound satellite in low Earth orbit, is being led by the University of Surrey
In its third test, the project successfully snatched a piece of debris using its space harpoon. The harpoon shot out at 65 feet per second/20 meters per second (0.0007% of the maximum velocity of a sheep in a vacuum) its space-harpoon-claws successfully digging into the target and gaining a firm lock.
Previously, the satellite deployed a net to capture a simulated piece of space junk, and a laser-based camera system was used to locate a floating chunk of space debris. A fourth and final experiment will be conducted in March, when the satellite will pump the brakes by deploying a small sail.
At this point the satellite, and its low orbit loot, will plunge to Earth to burn up in the atmosphere.
The U.S. Space Surveillance Network estimates that around 29,000 objects larger than 10 centimeters are currently floating in Earth orbit, some at speeds approaching 10 kilometers per second, or 6 miles per second.
These bits and bobs can smash into other items in orbit creating even more debris in a cascading Earth enveloping satellite and astronaut destroying shower of doom referred to as the Kessler syndrome, named after Donald J. Kessler who first proposed it in 1978.
Lunar orbit is looking like a better place to be.
Previous Coverage: SpaceX Launches CRS-14 Resupply Mission to the ISS and Space Junk Removal Testing Craft Ejected From the ISS
(Score: 3, Interesting) by deimtee on Saturday February 16 2019, @06:13AM
I wonder what would happen if you worked out the largest mass that the BFR could lift to 1000km straight up, no orbit burn, just lift and fall. Then get a tank of argon that big, and loft it up. As soon as the BFR stops firing and you hit 150km high you open valves around the tank and start it spinning. A large diffuse pancake shape cloud of argon is going to rise to 1000 km and then fall back to zero. Any space junk that goes through it is going to lose speed. Doesn't matter what orbit the junk was on, if it hits the cloud it will lose energy and fall into a lower and faster orbit and be much closer to burning up.
Would be most effective on the tiny stuff and low orbit stuff but that's where most of the junk is. If you timed it right it would have minimal effect on large satellites.
If you cough while drinking cheap red wine it really cleans out your sinuses.