Russia Spending Billions to Clean Up Space Junk

[yao]

leave a few spy satellites while they are at it too. Russia is getting smarter.

 

[Ezence]

"I have visions of the satellite-eating space capsule in the 007 movie "You Only Live Twice.""
My first thought was Goldeneye ^^

 

[hixbot]

Dumping the stuff that burns up is ok. The stuff that won't completely burn up should NOT be dumped in the ocean. I don't know how anyone could think polluting the ocean with junk is more desirable than polluting space.

 

[usfs]

[citation][nom]hixbot[/nom]Dumping the stuff that burns up is ok. The stuff that won't completely burn up should NOT be dumped in the ocean. I don't know how anyone could think polluting the ocean with junk is more desirable than polluting space.[/citation]


Oceans love metal why do you think they sink ships bro?

 

[bounty]

Changing sat orbits is not easy, this sat will only have a certain population of sats it can grab, probably pre-determined set that live in an orbit they want to use. Not the same orbits that spy sats use, which is very different. Also the "nuclear core" some of you seem worried about is most likely an RTG of which we've sent many into space w/o issue. Any idea on it's expected delta-V?

 

[nebun]

so many negative comments...US should be ashamed...i bet you that 95% of the junk is ours...step up and clean it up. this wonderful governament of ours needs to stop spending the money on a war that's not ours

 

[Guest]

So basically.. they get free testing of orbital weaponry, with plans to use 600 pieces of debris as target practice over the next 15 years? sweet!

What happens if one of those knocked down hits a boat, or a plane? in spain? in the rain?

 

[Lekko]

It's like Battlebots.. in SPACE!

 

[sonofliberty08]

RA3 Soviet Union super weapon ... Orbital Downpour

 

[Aoster87]

In Soviet Russia, satellite orbits you!

 

[ben55124]

Ok, except for Russia gets to define "space junk". That probably covers anything Russia didn't put there. Perhaps Russia will be nice and take payments to keep your satellite off its junk list.

 

[alexttlyrocks]

[citation][nom]bison88[/nom]Pretty embarrassing for the U.S. to have other countries make more of an effort to clear the space junk considering a vast uneven amount of satellites are ours. Good job Russia, unless Mother Russia has other plans lol.[/citation]

definitely. especially when you consider U.S. debt. how dare we let those Russians spend money.

 

[SASKEL]

my spider sense is telling me this is a great way for Russia to not only track current satellites but fine tune to skills needed to intercept and kill enemy satellites

 

[dextermat]

Of course that's what they saying....

I'm more concerned about what they don't say what they are doing.

 

[Preecher]

Many satellites are already nuclear powered. This is nothing new and not to be feared. The radiation is used to generate electricity. How do you think we get those things to function for decades in space? Its a small nuclear source with no potential for explosion and if I am not mistaken, not very intense with respect to radioactivity. You probably have more radiation from your smoke alarms in your house (albeit its alpha radiation and can be blocked by smoke). Seriously, take your smoke alarm off the ceiling and look at the back... you will see a radiation symbol

 

[Preecher]

Many satellites are already nuclear powered. This is nothing new and not to be feared. The radiation is used to generate electricity. How do you think we get those things to function for decades in space? Its a small nuclear source with no potential for explosion and if I am not mistaken, not very intense with respect to radioactivity. You probably have more radiation from your smoke alarms in your house (albeit its alpha radiation and can be blocked by smoke). Seriously, take your smoke alarm off the ceiling and look at the back... you will see a radiation symbol

 

[ak22]

So you clear up space and dump it into the sea? keep the rubbish out side the earth please, I doubt this space pod cleaning device is what its says its going to be...

 

[jrtolson]

personally i think it is a complete waste of money, think about it, lets say 50 years from now.. the build a orbiting space platform/spacestation that is their to produce space exploration ships and equipement, surley then it would be a good idea to collect orbiting debris and defunct sattilites so that they can use the raw materials for re manufacture. a specialised salvage team if u will... whats the point of burning them up in the atmosphere???

 

[curiousgeorgieo]

Billion-dollar WALL-E

 

[applegetsmelaid]

Hmmm... Billions of dollars on the table.... Feed starving babies.... or clean up OUTER SPACE... LETS CLEAN UP OUTER SPACE!!! Wise decision boys.