Gizmodo Science Fair: A Spacecraft That Hunts Down Space Junk

Astroscale, a Japanese space company, is developing a spacecraft that can actively hunt down and remove space debris. The growing amount of abandoned rocket parts, defunct satellites, and other space junk poses a significant threat to active spacecraft and future space missions. Astroscale's solution is a specialized satellite called ELSA-d, which is designed to locate, capture, and safely dispose of space debris. The spacecraft uses a magnetic docking mechanism to latch onto targeted debris, and it can then either push the object into a lower orbit for burning up in the atmosphere or transport it to a designated disposal site. This innovative technology is a crucial step in addressing the growing space debris crisis. As more countries and private companies launch satellites, the risk of collisions and damage to operational spacecraft increases. Astroscale's mission to actively remove space junk can help ensure the long-term sustainability of space exploration and the safe operation of satellites in Earth's orbit.