The Japanese company Astroscale has unveiled another device that will be engaged in garbage collection in space.He
What is known
The company's portfolio includes a device underthe name ELSA-d. It is a space tractor with a magnetic capture function. It was put into orbit in 2021, but after a few months, operations ceased due to the anomalous state of the tractor.
ELSA-m is a new space cleaner thatwill be able, within the framework of one mission, to safely shine several inoperative satellites from orbit and send them back into the Earth's atmosphere. Japanese developers claim that there are now over 2,200 devices in space that have ceased to function. Now they only create a threat to other satellites.
Astroscale showed how the cleaner works.ELSA-m will be able to independently study the satellite and dock with it. Then, due to its own engines, the robot will transfer the satellite to a lower orbit. After that, ELSA-m will be able to undock and climb into a new orbit to select the next target.