Tokyo-based space start-up Astroscale Holdings Inc. said Wednesday it will launch a test satellite from a space station in Kazakhstan in March next year to verify technology to collect debris floating in outer space.
There is said to be more than 20,000 pieces of space debris -- including parts of satellites whose operations were terminated, and wreckage from rockets -- that are larger than 10 centimeters. Since even one piece of space debris could affect the operation of a satellite if a collision occurs, the development of technologies to collect debris or prevent them from increasing has been promoted.
The satellite will be launched to demonstrate space debris collection technologies developed by Astroscale.
At an altitude of 550 kilometers, the satellite will disperse examples of space debris, which it will then locate using camera images. A few weeks later it will retrieve the examples using a powerful magnet and reenter the atmosphere where it will burn up.
In the future, the company hopes to develop a business by installing magnets on customers' satellites and collecting them after their operations are terminated.
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