Could this be the solution to the growing problem of space rubbish?




Did you know that so far, about 8,950 satellites have been launched into orbit? Based on the latest estimates, about 5,000 of these satellites remain in orbit despite the fact that they have reached the end of their shelf life and no longer serve any purpose.


The ever-increasing problem of space rubbish

It is estimated that about 1950 of these satellites are still operational, while the rest have been converted into space debris. These now obsolete satellites have been joined by thousands of pieces of debris, collectively referred to as "space waste".

This garbage is a major problem as there is currently no way to safely remove this garbage from space. So far.

The Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology announced Wednesday that Chinese scientists have successfully launched a cloud sail to remove the recently launched Long March 2 rocket. This event marks the first time such a missile test has been conducted.

The cloud sail is a 25-square-meter (269-square-foot) kite-like membrane when fully lifted. It is also ten kilometres thick, which has not prevented it from increasing atmospheric resistance and accelerating the orbital decay of the final stage of the 300 kg (661 lbs) rocket.

Cloud sails offer a low-cost, mature technical solution that can be used on any kind of low-Earth satellite that has become space garbage. Because they are extremely flexible and lightweight, they can be folded into a small package and placed on a spacecraft before launch.

Once it approaches the debris, it automatically opens up to help bring the spacecraft back into the atmosphere, where it will disintegrate. Drag sails are a much faster option than leaving the naturally unwanted Diorbit, which can take years or decades.

China's space debris problem

It is appropriate for China to find a solution to this continuing problem as the nation has been accused of allowing many of its vehicles to pollute space. Back in March 2022, a piece of a Chinese space rocket floating aimlessly into space landed after most likely participating in the October 2014 launch on the moon.

Fortunately, no one was injured from the collision, but the debris could have caused significant damage if it had gone to the International Space Station.

The new concept relied on exposing debris to a changing magnetic field, which rotates electrons in metal debris in charged rings.