3 ms·
I'm pretty sure that collecting objects from a field of debris where every object is moving at speeds of up to 30,000 km/h relative to other objects, in random
by simiones 2y ago
I'm pretty sure that collecting objects from a field of debris where every object is moving at speeds of up to 30,000 km/h relative to other objects, in random directions, is much more of a scientific challenge before even looking at economic incentives for it.
- Me1000 2y agoExactly. People forget (or simply don't know) that orbital plane changes are incredibly expensive from an energy perspective. It's not like you're walking down the road picking up trash in a row, you have to adjust your orbit, canceling out movement in one direction while adding movement in another. And it takes an incredible amount of energy even for minor plane changes.
- lazide 2y agoEspecially since most of the debris is widely spread, and often as small as a pea.
- ooterness 2y agoExactly. It's like mining lead from the bullets flying through an active battlefield. There's material there, but it's moving in different directions.
- bsder 2y agoI thought that the only effective way to clean this is ground-based focused energy. And even that has absolutely absurd energy requirements. Everything else is in the realm of science fiction.