Kamikaze module for satellites

Debris in space increasingly jeopardizes space travel. A small diced module on satellites should now change that. We this works explained Dr. Holger Krag, ESA's Space Space Secretary.

Satellites and space scrap in the earth orbit (NASA)

Estimated 170 million debris from satellites and rockets race around the earth. Including about 23,000 parts, which are larger than ten centimeters. Despite numerous ideas, there is still no functioning garbage disposal in space. In this case the disposal of deactivated satellites theoretically works quite simply: the earth's gravitational force brakes them off and brings them ever closer to the earth, until they finally glowed in the atmosphere. But only half of the satellites succeed in doing so.

"Depending on the height of the track, the gravitational force has a different strength," explains Dr. Holger Krag, ESA's Space Space Secretary. "At an altitude of 400 kilometers, an object can last for about a year until it is decelerated and eventually burnt down. In 600 kilometers it is about 25 years, in 800 kilometers it is 200 kilometers The objects will remain there forever. "

Controlled crash only in 60 percent of cases

When satellites are traveling at this altitude, an unusually strong maneuver is necessary to bring the objects closer to the ground. However, satellites, which have been in space for five to ten years, can not afford this at the end of their "lifetime" anymore. Therefore only 60 per cent of all cases are maneuvered.

An Italian company has now developed a small, dice-shaped clean-up module called "Disat", which is to be a "milestone in handling garbage in space". The 30 x 10 by 10 centimeter device is to be installed on every new satellite. It can be independently controlled and return the dead satellite to the earth with a motor of solid fuel. In the future this will be a complex module with various engines. Currently, such a solid fuel motor is being tested for the first time in space on so-called CubeSats (micro-satellites).

A difficult, but necessary, process

"Space travel is relatively conservative," says Holger Krag. "It is difficult, but urgent, to undertake a technology leap forward, because it is becoming increasingly apparent that the space can not be kept clean without such an additional kamikaze module."

There are still concepts to capture space scraps again with the aid of gripper arms and nets. After all, there are already enough flying objects from the past decades which are no longer controllable and will remain very long in space. This technology would also be useful for the so-called "in-orbit servicing" to repair, refuel, or manipulate airborne objects in space.

However, disposal must be given priority, as long as the satellite is still under control, but Karg. This is also more efficient and significantly cheaper. It is important, however, that all nations that are involved in the space industry should be able to reliably avoid the possibility of space scrapping. So far, there are only non-binding guidelines.