‘Fishing net’ to collect debris from space
By ANIWednesday, February 2, 2011
LONDON - In collaboration with a 100-year-old fishing net company, Japan’s space agency has built a giant net several kilometres in size to collect debris from space.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Nitto Seimo Co have teamed-up to tackle the growing problem of rubbish in orbit around the Earth damaging space shuttles and satellites once and for all.
The plan will see a satellite attached to a thin metal net spanning several kilometres launched into space, reports the Telegraph.
The net is then detached, and begins to orbit earth, sweeping up space waste in its path.
During its rubbish-collecting journey, the net will become charged with electricity and eventually be drawn back towards earth by magnetic fields - before both the net and its contents burn upon entering the atmosphere.
It is likely the nets will target the orbital paths of space shuttles, which are constantly monitored for debris.
It is believed that the net will remain in orbit for several weeks, collecting enough rubbish to make the trip financially worthwhile, before sending another net into space. (ANI)
