European Space Agency to send giant ‘claw’ into orbit to clean up space clutter

re are around 2,800 live satellites currently orbiting Earth and clutter is believed to be a hindrance in effective exploration. Scientists have estimated that almost 3,000 de satellites are currently circling globe, in dition to 900,000 pieces of debris, that could potentially cause a catastrophe if it hit wrong satellite at wrong time. w, in a bid to clear out clutter, European ncy (ESA) has come up with a bizarre plan: A claw. 

According to Associated Press, ESA is signing a $102 million contract with a Swiss start-up company to bring a large piece of orbital trash back to Earth. ncy said that deal with Clear SA will le to “first active debris removal mission” in 2025. Furr, ncy revealed that a claw will help m clean clutter by gripping larger defunct satellites and steering m back into earth’s atmosphere where both satellite and claw itself can burn up in peace. 

RE: HAL Delivers Biggest Ever Cryogenic Propellant Tank To ISRO

According to CNET, plan was initially conceived back in 2019, however, w ESA has decided to sign a contract with Swiss firm to build and launch its debris removal mission. Claw’s first target is a VESPA (Vega Secondary Paylo apter) that has been orbiting globe since it helped launch an ESA Vega rocket back in 2013. ncy informed that VESPA weighs 112 kgs and is close in size to a small satellite. 

In a press release, ESA said, “Clear-1 will demonstrate technical ability and commercial capacity to significantly enhance long-term sustainability of flight. mission is supported within ESA’s Safety Programme based at ncy’s ESOC operations centre in Darmstt, Germany”. 

RE: What Is A Beaver Moon? Here's How Beaver Moon Got Its Name

UK invests £1M to tackle debris 

Meanwhile, as scientists have long warned that hundreds of thousands of pieces of debris pose a threat to functioning satellites, UK, back in September, h also anunced an investment of GBP one million to tacked dangers presented by clutter. UK government along with country’s ncy and Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed formal agreement, saying that it contributes to Britain’s opportunity to benefit from mega-constellations of satellites. ditionally, ncy and MoD have also signed an agreement to work toger on monitoring hazards in orbit.

officials will also be tracking so-called ‘ junk’ which could pose a threat to International Station (ISS) and its crew. y have estimated that re are approximately 160 million objects in orbit, which daily consists of debris - which could collide with satellites. UK government informed that only a fraction of this debris can currently be tracked and avoided by working satellites. y furr ded that it has a significant opportunity to benefit from new of satellite mega-constellations, which is a vast network me up of hundreds or even thousands of craft. 

RE: How To Make Moon Water? Learn How To Charge Water With Power Of Moon

RE: When Is Next Lunar Eclipse: Get Lunar Eclipse Schedule For 2021