Switzerland to Build ‘Janitor Satellite’ to Clean Up Space

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The CleanSpace One satellite will approach a defunct satellite, grab it, and plunge into Earth's atmosphere, burning up during re-entry.
CREDIT: ESA | NASA | Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, Johnson Space Center | Analytical Graphics, Inc.
View full size image

Earth is surrounded by a cloud of more than half a million pieces of space junk, from bus-size spent rocket stages to tiny flecks of paint. Orbiting at breakneck speeds, every last bit poses grave dangers — and means huge insurance premiums — for operational satellites, and it threatens the International Space Station, too. Every time two orbiting objects collide, they break up into thousands more pieces of debris.

To combat this growing headache, Swiss scientists and engineers have announced the launch of CleanSpace One, a project to build the first in a family of “janitor” satellites that will help clean up space.

To be launched as soon as three to five years from now, CleanSpace One will rendezvous with one of two defunct objects in orbit, either the Swisscube picosatellite, or its cousin TIsat, both 1,000 cubic centimeters (61 cubic inches) in size. When the janitor satellite reaches its target, it will extend a grappling arm, grab it and then plunge into Earth’s atmosphere, burning up itself and the space junk during re-entry.

CleanSpace One is being designed and built at the Swiss Space Center, part of the Swiss Federal Institute for Technology in Lausanne, or EPFL. Scientists there are developing the micro- and electric propulsion systems that will enable CleanSpace One to grab hold of space junk as the two objects zip around Earth at 17,500 mph (28,000 kph).



http://www.livescience.com/18503-janitor-satellite-cleanspace-space-junk.html

 

[Cancel 2018. 3]

you mean "custodial engineer satellite"

 

[cancel2 2022]

you mean "custodial engineer satellite"

Of course, Newt Gingrich would prefer to send schoolkids to clean up the space garbage.

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

Of course, Newt Gingrich would prefer to send schoolkids to clean up the space garbage.

In all honesty, what kid would turn down going into space?

 

[Cancel 2018. 3]

Of course, Newt Gingrich would prefer to send schoolkids to clean up the space garbage.

i would go....

 

[cancel2 2022]

In all honesty, what kid would turn down going into space?

Even if it was a one way trip?

 

[cancel2 2022]

i would go....

You meter maids are all the same, I bet you just want to put a parking ticket on the junk.

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

Even if it was a one way trip?

ESPECIALLY if it's one way.

 

[Cancel 2018. 3]

You meter maids are all the same, I bet you just want to put a parking ticket on the junk.

you are damn right!!!! junk cars on streets get ticketed on earth, so why not junk in space!!!!

my job is secured forever and into the heavens i come!!!!

meter maids will always have jobs.

 

[cancel2 2022]

ESPECIALLY if it's one way.

I can think of a few that I would press gang into that job!!

 

[Lowaicue]

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[TR]

The CleanSpace One satellite will approach a defunct satellite, grab it, and plunge into Earth's atmosphere, burning up during re-entry.
CREDIT: ESA | NASA | Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, Johnson Space Center | Analytical Graphics, Inc.
View full size image

Earth is surrounded by a cloud of more than half a million pieces of space junk, from bus-size spent rocket stages to tiny flecks of paint. Orbiting at breakneck speeds, every last bit poses grave dangers — and means huge insurance premiums — for operational satellites, and it threatens the International Space Station, too. Every time two orbiting objects collide, they break up into thousands more pieces of debris.

To combat this growing headache, Swiss scientists and engineers have announced the launch of CleanSpace One, a project to build the first in a family of “janitor” satellites that will help clean up space.

To be launched as soon as three to five years from now, CleanSpace One will rendezvous with one of two defunct objects in orbit, either the Swisscube picosatellite, or its cousin TIsat, both 1,000 cubic centimeters (61 cubic inches) in size. When the janitor satellite reaches its target, it will extend a grappling arm, grab it and then plunge into Earth’s atmosphere, burning up itself and the space junk during re-entry.

CleanSpace One is being designed and built at the Swiss Space Center, part of the Swiss Federal Institute for Technology in Lausanne, or EPFL. Scientists there are developing the micro- and electric propulsion systems that will enable CleanSpace One to grab hold of space junk as the two objects zip around Earth at 17,500 mph (28,000 kph).



http://www.livescience.com/18503-janitor-satellite-cleanspace-space-junk.html

Oh, how very Sssssssswwwwi ssssssssssssssssssss. Chocolate, Cuckoo clocks and now Hoovers. What can't the Swiss do?