ESA detonated 200 lithium-ion batteries for satellites. This will determine the consequences of their explosion in orbit.

Today, more than 750 thousand objects of space debris with a diameter of more than 1

cm, moving at a speed of more than 28 thousand km / h. Basically, they are various remnants of rockets or shuttles, ranging from huge accelerating blocks to small bolts and nuts.

To prevent the formation of new trash,which may result from the explosion of satellite batteries, engineers conducted a series of battery tests at the site of the Commission on Alternative Energy and Atomic Energy (CEA) in France.

During testing, scientists have simulated a short circuit of batteries for analogous faults in the circuit, their recharging, overheating, and excessive discharge.

Experiments have shown that before completionmissions its organizers must disconnect batteries from satellites. Otherwise, a series of explosions may occur, as a result of which parts of damaged vehicles can accelerate to 20 m / s and damage other satellites.

Previously, engineers from the International Centerneuromorphic systems have created the Astrosite space imaging system, which will track space debris in orbit and prevent its collision with satellites.