Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then?
Rogue satellites to be cleared from Earth's orbit by German robots
German-built robots are to be sent into Earth's orbit to repair 'dead satellites' or push them into outer space, according to a report in Sunday's Guardian newspaper.
Robots that rescue failing satellites and push 'dead' ones into outer space should be ready in four years, it has emerged. Experts described the development by German scientists as a crucial step in preventing a disaster in the Earth's crowded orbit.
Last year it was reported that critical levels of debris circling the Earth were threatening astronauts' lives and the future of the multibillion-pound satellite communications industry. But senior figures at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) told the /Observer/ they have been given the go-ahead to tackle a crisis that will come to a head in the next five to 10 years as more orbiting objects run out of fuel.
Their robots will dock with failing satellites to carry out repairs or push them into "graveyard orbits", freeing vital space in geostationary orbit. This is the narrow band 22,000 miles above the Earth in which orbiting objects appear fixed at the same point. More than 200 dead satellites litter this orbit. Within 10 years that number could increase fivefold, the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety has warned.
You can read the full article / 'Rogue satellites to be cleared from Earth's orbit by German robots'/ at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/oct/11/space-robots-clear-rogue-satel...
I'm sure you are joking with the AO-40 reference. No one is interested in helping amateurs put new sats into orbit much less fixing one of our broken ones. :-) 73, Michael, W4HIJ
David - KG4ZLB wrote:
Rogue satellites to be cleared from Earth's orbit by German robots
German-built robots are to be sent into Earth's orbit to repair 'dead satellites' or push them into outer space, according to a report in Sunday's Guardian newspaper.
Robots that rescue failing satellites and push 'dead' ones into outer space should be ready in four years, it has emerged. Experts described the development by German scientists as a crucial step in preventing a disaster in the Earth's crowded orbit.
Last year it was reported that critical levels of debris circling the Earth were threatening astronauts' lives and the future of the multibillion-pound satellite communications industry. But senior figures at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) told the /Observer/ they have been given the go-ahead to tackle a crisis that will come to a head in the next five to 10 years as more orbiting objects run out of fuel.
Their robots will dock with failing satellites to carry out repairs or push them into "graveyard orbits", freeing vital space in geostationary orbit. This is the narrow band 22,000 miles above the Earth in which orbiting objects appear fixed at the same point. More than 200 dead satellites litter this orbit. Within 10 years that number could increase fivefold, the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety has warned.
You can read the full article / 'Rogue satellites to be cleared from Earth's orbit by German robots'/ at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/oct/11/space-robots-clear-rogue-satel...
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Actually they are referring to the Geostationary Sats at the equator.
Roger WA1KAT
----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Tondee" mat_62@netcommander.com Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 1:29 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then?
I'm sure you are joking with the AO-40 reference. No one is interested in helping amateurs put new sats into orbit much less fixing one of our broken ones. :-) 73, Michael, W4HIJ
David - KG4ZLB wrote:
Rogue satellites to be cleared from Earth's orbit by German robots
German-built robots are to be sent into Earth's orbit to repair 'dead satellites' or push them into outer space, according to a report in Sunday's Guardian newspaper.
Robots that rescue failing satellites and push 'dead' ones into outer space should be ready in four years, it has emerged. Experts described the development by German scientists as a crucial step in preventing a disaster in the Earth's crowded orbit.
Last year it was reported that critical levels of debris circling the Earth were threatening astronauts' lives and the future of the multibillion-pound satellite communications industry. But senior figures at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) told the /Observer/ they have been given the go-ahead to tackle a crisis that will come to a head in the next five to 10 years as more orbiting objects run out of fuel.
Their robots will dock with failing satellites to carry out repairs or push them into "graveyard orbits", freeing vital space in geostationary orbit. This is the narrow band 22,000 miles above the Earth in which orbiting objects appear fixed at the same point. More than 200 dead satellites litter this orbit. Within 10 years that number could increase fivefold, the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety has warned.
You can read the full article / 'Rogue satellites to be cleared from Earth's orbit by German robots'/ at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/oct/11/space-robots-clear-rogue-satel lites
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10/11/09 06:39:00
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Could the robots manage a closeup or high quality photo of the physical condition of Oscar 40, just to stir the pot? I must guess that a great many interested minds would be highly motivated and inspired by such a report! Imagine how amazing it would be to know such things as the spin and orientation, the presence of extra holes, missing/dammaged parts or panels, etc!
I would doubt that there's anything a robot could to to effect any sort of repair to this, but at least we could decide if it's worth leaving for possible later recovery efforts , or trashing to improve the safety of future craft. Either way, adventure awaits!
There is obviously a common interest in these observations, not only from our ranks, but also for commercial and government interests, whose own orbital gear(might nearly) crosse-paths with ours, and is therfore justified for investigaion.
Auke
----- Original Message ----- From: "David - KG4ZLB" kg4zlb@googlemail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 10:30 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then?
Rogue satellites to be cleared from Earth's orbit by German robots
German-built robots are to be sent into Earth's orbit to repair 'dead satellites' or push them into outer space, according to a report in Sunday's Guardian newspaper.
Robots that rescue failing satellites and push 'dead' ones into outer space should be ready in four years, it has emerged. Experts described the development by German scientists as a crucial step in preventing a disaster in the Earth's crowded orbit.
Last year it was reported that critical levels of debris circling the Earth were threatening astronauts' lives and the future of the multibillion-pound satellite communications industry. But senior figures at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) told the /Observer/ they have been given the go-ahead to tackle a crisis that will come to a head in the next five to 10 years as more orbiting objects run out of fuel.
Their robots will dock with failing satellites to carry out repairs or push them into "graveyard orbits", freeing vital space in geostationary orbit. This is the narrow band 22,000 miles above the Earth in which orbiting objects appear fixed at the same point. More than 200 dead satellites litter this orbit. Within 10 years that number could increase fivefold, the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety has warned.
You can read the full article / 'Rogue satellites to be cleared from Earth's orbit by German robots'/ at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/oct/11/space-robots-clear-rogue-satel...
-- David KG4ZLB www.kg4zlb.com
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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participants (4)
-
Auke de Jong, VE6PWN -
David - KG4ZLB -
Michael Tondee -
Roger Kolakowski