As if it were a science fiction movie, Europe is developing an unimaginable plan to save the world with its new space claw. Which, according to experts, will allow us to address one of the greatest threats that humanity is facing. Below we reveal how this invention created by one of the most important space agencies is developed.
The space claw that will save humanity
A latent threat It is putting the security of humanity and the entire planet at risk. Since the increase in space debris is causing a deterioration that, if not controlled, could cause irreparable damage in the future.
This garbage occurs when satellites reach the end of their useful life, as well as with rocket remains, which remain in orbit. But what is worrying about the situation is that, with the increase in space launches, This waste is starting to accumulate.
Therefore, the European Space Agency (ESA) has planned missions to collect space debris with the help of its innovative space claw. Being called “the ClearSpace-1 mission”, which is expected to be executed in 2025.
This giant claw It has been built by the Swiss startup ClearSpace. Where experts assure that will demonstrate the technical and commercial capacity to improve significantly long-term sustainability of space flights.
This is how the space claw works
In the last decades of space activities, A high number of launches have been carried out, which has generated more than 42,000 tracked objects in orbitof which around 23,000 are still floating in space. Thus contributing to the accumulation of space debris surrounding the planet.
For this reason, Agencies such as the ESA have developed missions to reduce this problem. Well, it will send a crane into space that will capture and eliminate a large amount of space debris in orbit.
This device has with four arms and will escort the debris to a lower orbit, where They will disintegrate upon entering the atmosphere. However, according to Luisa Innocenti, director of the ESA Clean Space office, it is necessary to design an imaging system that can characterize the object quickly and autonomously before the claw catches him.
It is noteworthy that the objective of ESA is to contribute to the cleanliness of space and, in turn, demonstrate the technologies necessary for the removal of space debris. This project being a solution to imminent threats like the ones we reveal to you in this article.
An agreement to save the world
In September 2012, it was carried out at the ESA European Space Operations Center (ESOC), in Darmstadt, Germany, a debate to remove debris from orbit. Where participation was counted of more than one hundred European industry experts, academia and national space agencies.
At this event, it was celebrated the framework of the ESA Clean Space initiative, which is responsible for developing techniques and tools to reduce environmental impact of this industry and with it ensure sustainability.
Subsequently, the agency formalized the launch contract for the ClearSpace-1 mission in conjunction with la startup ClearSpace. Which is valued at 100 million euros (86 million from ESA). And although it is an expensive task, it will ensure that the space around the planet remains clean.
It is noteworthy that studies from NASA and ESA show that the only way to stabilize the orbital environment is actively remove large waste. Where to use this space claw It will mark a milestone that will allow the development of new technologies for the sustainability of space.
In conclusion, this project, which seems straight out of a fiction film, turns out to be a possible solution to the increase in one of the greatest threats that are affecting humanity in recent times. And if measures like those presented by ESA are not taken, we could witness an increase in tragedies like the ones we reveal to you in this article.