Speculative Fact #266: Space Junk Sweeper Satellite

Orbital debris, as we’ve seen in the 2013 film “Gravity,” is a serious problem. Space junk in low orbit moves as fast as a rifle bullet and is not just a risk for humans, but also our floating infrastructure (i.e. telecommunications satellites).
            Luckily, a 15 year old student from Jordan (Dana Arabiyat, in picture) has designed a satellite that can hunt down the hundred million plus pieces of deadly debris and safely dispose of them. The brilliant student is one of over a thousand internationals that arrived at Pittsburgh to attend the 2015 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The satellite uses radar and a camera to lock onto debris, scoop it up into a bulletproofed collector bucket, and then eventually return to Earth where the atmosphere would burn it up.
            The skies above us may in the near future be diligently patrolled by many such garbage disposal satellites, making orbit safer and more sustainable for all.


by Jonathan Hernandez

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