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Clean Space: how to build a satellite that won’t end up as dangerous debris
- Video Online only
- Title Clean Space: how to build a satellite that won’t end up as dangerous debris
- Released: 10/01/2018
- Length 00:01:16
- Language English
- Footage Type Animation
- Copyright ESA (Genevieve Porter) – Marianne Tricot (Ecole Estienne Paris)
- Description
At the moment there are thousands of satellites orbiting the earth along with spent rocket bodies and additional debris items. Orbiting debris moves so fast it that a one centimetre nut could hit another satellite with the force of an exploding hand grenade. Debris tends to produce more debris. To prevent the production of new debris in either space or Earth, The Clean Space initiative’s CleanSat programme is developing innovative ways to deorbit satellites from low-earth orbits, developing design and materials methods to ensure satellites fully burn-up during re-entry and making sure that abandoned satellites make safe any and all stored energy that might one day trigger orbital break-ups. Such new technologies to use space in a different way are crucial, if we want future generation to go on making full use of space and exploring our Universe.
To learn more about Clean Space, check out the team's blog