CleanSpace One

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

  1. ↑ Coxworth, Ben (7 July 2015). "EPFL's CleanSpace One satellite will "eat" space junk". Gizmag. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  2. ↑ Volpe, Joseph (16 February 2012). "EPFL's CleanSpace One: clearing up cosmic clutter (video)". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  3. ↑ Wenz, John (6 July 2015). "The EPFL's Pac-Man Bot Can Snap Up Tiny Satellites". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 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.
  5. ↑ "Cleaning up Earth's orbit: A Swiss satellite to tackle space debris". École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 Starr, Michelle (7 July 2015). "Playing Pac-Man with space junk". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  7. ↑ "A giant Pac-Man to gobble up space debris". Phys.org. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  8. 1 2 Pittman, Kagan (7 July 2015). "Pac-Man Inspires Engineering Solution to Clean up Space Debris". Engineering.com. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Switzerland to Build 'Janitor Satellite' to Clean Up Space". LiveScience. Purch. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
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