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Wikipedia has more information about the experiments it is performing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RemoveDEBRIS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RemoveDEBRIS No
by craftyguy 8y ago
Wikipedia has more information about the experiments it is performing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RemoveDEBRIS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RemoveDEBRIS
Note that it caught a 'fake' piece of space debris that it launched specifically for this experiment. I'm curious how it would fare when trying to snag a real chunk moving at higher relative velocities.
I also had no idea it had a harpoon on it!
- ortusdux 8y agoHere is a good mission simulation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CEH9V9psKY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CEH9V9psKY I feel oddly letdown that the harpoon won't be fired at a free floating object. I am glad that they are testing a drag sail. It would be nice to require these in future LEO objects if they prove successful.
- marsokod 8y agoIn the early plans the harpoon was launched at a moving target. But in addition to the complexity and the risk associated with that, this prevented having a close-up look at the target after the operation. A harpoon for debris removal is only useful if it does not create too many debris and you cannot really assess how many were generated if the harpoon and it's target are floating away. I concur with you in the drag sail. So many LEO projects are planning on using propulsion for deorbiting, which requires having a fairly working spacecraft. Drag sails or other deployables do not require a lot of power, are completely passive once deployed, and make the object even more trackable.