ClearSpace-1
CleanSpace One is technology demonstration satellite in development by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. The satellite will test technologies to rendezvous, capture, and deorbit space junk.[1] Destructive reentry will destroy both the captured satellites and itself.[2] To demonstrate the concept – a collapsible net that aligns and then collapses onto a satellite – the spacecraft will collect SwissCube satellites that have expended their useful lifespan. The launch of the satellite, aboard Swiss Space Systems's SOAR spaceplane, is targeted for 2018.[3] Swiss Space Systems also invested £10 million for the development of the spacecraft,[4] the entire projected cost.[5] CleanSpace One is targeted to weigh about 30 kilograms.[4]
Design
Originally, the design included a claw for grabbing satellites.[6] However, after collaboration with students from the University of Applied Science in Geneva, the engineers concluded that a net that collapses onto satellites was the most agile and reliable collection system.[7]
The design will include optical sensors to detect the targeted SwissCube satellites.[8] According to a student working for the institute, guidance and navigation are particularly difficult operations due to the varying reflectivity of the satellites.[6] To accomplish visual recognition of the satellites, the organization plans to use cameras with a high dynamic range and process images in real time.[8]
Future
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology plans to continue developing the technology demonstrator into a ready-made satellite for space junk removal, eventually offering multiple sizes for different missions.[9]
References
- ^ Coxworth, Ben (7 July 2015). "EPFL's CleanSpace One satellite will "eat" space junk". Gizmag. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ Volpe, Joseph (16 February 2012). "EPFL's CleanSpace One: clearing up cosmic clutter (video)". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ Wenz, John (6 July 2015). "The EPFL's Pac-Man Bot Can Snap Up Tiny Satellites". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ a b Zolfagharifard, Ellie (23 September 2013). "The 'hoover' on a mission to clear up space: CleanSpace One will sweep up 370,000 pieces of junk orbiting the planet". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ "Cleaning up Earth's orbit: A Swiss satellite to tackle space debris". École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ a b Starr, Michelle (7 July 2015). "Playing Pac-Man with space junk". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ "A giant Pac-Man to gobble up space debris". Phys.org. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ a b Pittman, Kagan (7 July 2015). "Pac-Man Inspires Engineering Solution to Clean up Space Debris". Engineering.com. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ "Switzerland to Build 'Janitor Satellite' to Clean Up Space". LiveScience. Purch. Retrieved 7 November 2015.