A new US Space Force video ‘calls for action’ against space debris and calls on the private sector to help clean up the growing chaos of space.
The video was released on January 5th on the Space Force’s SpaceWERX website. (opens in new tab) (its technical arm) is pushing ahead with a program called Orbital Prime, which aims to test an orbital system within two to four years. The first solicitation is scheduled for his February 17th.
Space Debris, Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Lt. Gen. David Thompson, said in a video, “In seeking innovative solutions to recycle, reuse or remove these objects, we call for action, We offer opportunities for partnerships.”
The request for a Space Force partnership came just weeks after Russia’s anti-satellite test in November produced large amounts of debris, increasing the risk of an attack on the International Space Station measurably, according to NASA. rice field.
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The crew of the orbiting complex was forced to evacuate on a return ship in November, but ground control has consulted with the Department of Defense, which tracks space junk, to assess or avoid debris. measures are being taken.
Space Force hopes to address the more common problem of space junk in low-Earth orbit by testing orbital debris removal techniques. Phase 1 prize money is $250,000 and Phase 2 is his $1.5 million.
“Our vision in this partnership is to actively explore these features today in the hope that we and others can purchase them as a service in the future,” Thompson said in the video.
There are well over 20,000 trackable pieces of space debris, but the number of small untrackable objects (such as screws and paint flakes) also contributes to space forces.
SpaceX’s Starlink constellation alone has seen several near-misses in recent months, prompting industry representatives to point to a large satellite constellation as another potential threat to mitigating space debris. It points to the rise of rations more generally.
“Our goal through Orbital Prime is to partner with the innovative minds of industry, academia and research institutions to advance cutting-edge technology and operational concepts in the field of debris mitigation and removal,” said Thompson. It is about letting and applying.”
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