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WorldWeird: Robots to clear Earth orbit of 'dead satellites'

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    • CommentAuthorKosmopolit
    • CommentTimeOct 13th 2009 edited
     (7001.21)
    256, it costs far more to lift a satellite into orbit against the force of Earth's gravitational pull thanto move it around between orbits.

    Plus, what''s being talked about is a reuseable device - probably powered by an ion drive.
  2.  (7001.22)
    @Kosmopolit

    I'm not sure, it would need to be highly manoeuvrable and I don't think ion drives are. As far as I know, they're currently more for providing gentle, cumulative and fuel efficient acceleration over long distances. For rapid deceleration and changes in direction they'd probably be hopeless.
    • CommentAuthorOddcult
    • CommentTimeOct 15th 2009
     (7001.23)
    I can't recall where I read it, but I thought that the plan was for a refuelling station satellite that could be resupplied cheaply. Presumably the robot caretaker would be able to refuel at this from time to time as it scooted about tidying up.

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