Developed by engineers at EPFL, the satellites are designed to clean up space debris.
Keystone
Cleaning up space is the mission of a new Swiss start-up, ClearSpace, which will capitalise on technology developed by engineers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL).
“We have no option but to clear space debris from Low Earth Orbit,” said ClearSpace CEO Luc Piguet in a statement published by EPFL on Friday. “The viability of satellite technologies, which are an increasingly important part of our lives, is at stake.”
Engineers at EPFL’s Space Center came up with a way of capturing and eliminating debris accumulated over six decades of low-orbit activities. Their start-up aims to develop and market the technology behind a junk-clearing satellite that catches debris orbiting Earth.
For the first test mission, slated for 2024, the company wants to dismantle SwissCube, a nanosatellite developed by students from EPFL and other Swiss universities and launched on September 23, 2009.
ClearSpace’s satellite features a tapered net that shoots out, grabs a piece of debris and then retracts, trapping the junk in its clutches.
Cluttered
The long-term goal is to launch a platform carrying multiple satellites in order to clear more than 3,000 derelict satellites orbiting near our planet.
Ever since the world’s first satellite was launched in 1957, space has become increasingly cluttered with all kinds of junk – as small as a nut and as large as a bus. Fast-moving debris, flying around the planet at some 8 km/s, poses an ever-growing threat to spacecraft and crew.
The problem is particularly acute in what scientists call the Low Earth Orbit, the area between the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere to 2,000 kilometres above the surface of the planet.
ClearSpace has a collaboration agreement with EPFL, focusing largely on the question of technology transfer. The start-up has also secured funding from the European Space Agency (ESA).
Popular Stories
More
Aging society
No house generation: the impossibility of buying property in Switzerland
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
This content was published on
United States companies expanded their operations in Switzerland at a much higher rate than European counterparts last year.
This content was published on
Switzerland approves five electricity reserve plants powered by CO₂ neutral fuel, with a total capacity of 583 megawatts.
Swiss government backs down to industry outcry over energy security plans
This content was published on
Swiss electricity providers should no longer be obliged to fulfil strict liquidity and capital requirements to ensure energy security.
Switzerland sets aside more funds to protect religious minorities
This content was published on
Jewish and Muslim minorities as well as LGBTQ+ communities will temporarily receive increased state protection in Switzerland.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at [email protected].
Read more
More
Scientists invent laser source to detect pollution
This content was published on
Researchers in Lausanne have developed a simple mid-infrared laser source that can be used to detect pollution in the air.
Swiss research institutes receive EU funding boost
This content was published on
The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded 222 coveted grants to researchers including 18 at Swiss institutes under the Horizon 2020 programme.
Using Swiss AI and drones to count African wildlife
This content was published on
After a promising first run in Namibia, a Swiss project could aid savanna conservation using drones and automatic image analysis.
A special relationship: The US military and Swiss universities
This content was published on
From aerial surveillance cameras to autonomous reconnaissance drones: Swiss universities are participating in projects funded by the US military.
This content was published on
The Swiss government confirmed at the weekend that, as a result of the vote, it would not sign an already agreed deal to grant Croatian job seekers access to Switzerland. The European Commission responded by putting the research and education talks on ice. Participation in the €94.7 billion (CHF115 billion) Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ projects…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at [email protected].