Japan's Space Junk Colector Launched

[sherlew99]

Yahoo News



Japan launching 'space junk' collector

AFP December 9, 2016


Tokyo (AFP) - Japan launched a cargo ship Friday bound for the International Space Station, carrying a 'space junk' collector that was made with the help of a fishnet company.

Click here for the rest of the article.

[sherlew99]

CBS News also has an article on it.

Japan readies supply ship for launch to space station

[pickinduck]

HOORAY TO JAPAN FOR DOING THIS!
Japan should be praised for doing this and all of the other countries need to check themselves.

[sherlew99]

Yes, I'm glad that someone's got something up there now. I know that NASA has been working on solutions for awhile. We'll see what they'll come up with. Also, the people at Texas A&M are working on another rather interesting idea call the 'Sling Sat'.

[pickinduck]

Do they get to bill whoever it is space junk that they are removing?

[sherlew99]

According to this article I just found, no.

"Everybody is affected, but no one is specifically responsible for derelict objects because they're derelict."

Also found this cool idea on the website.

Scientists at a Japanese research institution are working on an idea that would involve mounting a laser cannon on the International Space Station (ISS) to help the spacecraft clear its pathway in times of need. Even though it's the most heavily shielded spacecraft ever launched, the ISS still has to change course about once a year to avoid passing too close to large pieces of space junk.

[pickinduck]

That's now right. I can see that changing in the future.

[sherlew99]

I'm only finding articles from last year on it. Looks like it's still in development. Also, the Extreme Universe Space Observatory that's supposed to be install on the ISS next year may also be useful in tracking down debris.