What tasks will the innovative device perform?
Scientists are creating the first Russian space transporter satellite to clear space debris from orbit. There are only eight such devices in the world. The uniqueness of the domestic development lies in the possibility of reusable use of the garbage collector with the option of returning one of the modules to Earth. The authors are preparing for a test launch in 2025, and experts believe that the project still looks too ambitious and expensive for early implementation.
What is a space transporter?
Russia has developed a test sample of the first reusable device for collecting, transporting and disposing of debris in orbit. This was reported to Izvestia by the press service of the National Technology Initiative (NTI). It is assumed that it will solve the problem of space debris — the device is able to do this point-by-point and safely without the risk of creating new fragments. At the same time, the transporter is able to move any objects in space, for example, to move satellites between orbits, extending their service life.
The technology is capable of returning satellites to Earth for repair and reuse, and is also capable of relocating any objects depending on the tasks, Ali Al-Zubeidi, head of the VT Empire development company, told Izvestia. At the same time, the device itself is able to operate without returning to Earth.
Photo: VT Empire
Image source: iz.ru
— The space transporter is actually a satellite for cleaning the orbit from space debris. At the moment, there are only eight such devices worldwide, but none of them can be returned to Earth for maintenance and re-operation. The uniqueness of our product is that the garbage collector is reusable. We are currently preparing for the first test launch of the spacecraft into space. The project is at an early stage of development, but there are already achievements: for example, we became finalists for the prestigious GSEA award and were awarded by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin," he said.
According to the co-founder of the project, Ahmed Al-Zubeidi, the technology will solve the problem of space debris in orbit by using a device to clear space of outdated artificial Earth satellites and their debris. The problem is real, because satellites, the ISS and future missions are already threatened by more than 8 thousand tons of space debris, he added.
Photo: VT Empire
Image Source: iz.ru
The transporter collects space debris and debris thanks to a modular system and a grid capable of withstanding ultra-high temperatures. When debris is detected, the modules are undocked and debris enters the network. One of the modules returns to Earth, while the debris is burned in the atmosphere, the expert said.
How the experts evaluated the novelty
The development of such products is more relevant than ever, said Andrey Galinovsky, a leading researcher at the NTI Center for Digital Materials Science: New Materials and Substances at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University.
— The project involves not just a satellite, but a sufficiently maneuverable conveyor system with its own propulsion system, control systems, module separation, robotic object capture devices, etc. This requires at least serious cooperation. In addition, the presence of satellites in Russian laboratories that have been in orbit for a long time will help to assess the complex impact of negative factors of outer space on nodes, instruments and materials," the expert emphasized.
However, speaking generally about the task of cleaning orbits from debris, everything depends on financing, said Andrey Novikov, associate professor, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Special Mechanical Engineering at Bauman Moscow State Technical University. As long as launches are possible and orbits are relatively free, it is unlikely that substantial money will be allocated for this.
Photo: VT Empire
Image source: iz.ru
— The problem of space debris is already becoming acute. Today, when launching manned expeditions, a window is selected separately in which the risk of collision with debris is minimal. Space agencies have a map of debris objects larger than 10 cm. Large satellites, spaceships, and orbital stations can dodge it, but this is a half-measure. It's time to start "cleaning" the orbit. And now there are a number of ideas and developments dedicated to this. This should be a global task, and the space agencies of the largest countries should unite and solve the problem together," he said.
At the same time, it is unclear to the specialist how reusable it will be ensured, how garbage will be disposed of and where fuel reserves will be replenished.
— And the return of the satellites entirely — we no longer have such technologies. When there was the Energia-Buran or Space Shuttle system, yes, it was possible, there was a large payload bay. But now returning objects to Earth is an extremely difficult task due to the enormous thermal loads. And reusable devices are very expensive. In 2011, the last year of the shuttle's operation, one of its expeditions cost NASA more than $800 million,— added Andrey Novikov.
Photo: VT Empire
Image source: iz.ru
The idea itself repeats the technology of the American company — fishing with a net. But in domestic development, modules must maneuver around an object, which is much more difficult, said Vladislav Ivanenko, CEO of Sputnix, an expert at the Aeronet NTI working group.
— The main difficulty in capturing space debris is that it moves at a tremendous speed. Such operations are almost always associated with the risk of damage to the device. In this regard, it remains unclear how reusable the system will be and whether the increased costs of its development and operation will be justified. It is possible that using disposable systems will be more economically beneficial," said Daniil Arzhakov, an IT expert and senior lecturer at the Department of Esports at the Faculty of Gaming Industry and Esports at Synergy University.
At the same time, he noted that the development is unique for Russia, but it also highlights the lack of experience of domestic specialists in this field, which may increase the risks during the implementation of the project.
Anton Bely
