DARPA states, "A lot more than $300 billion price of satellites are believed to stay in the geosynchronous orbit (GEO22,000 miles over the earth). A number of these satellites happen to be upon the market because of normal finish of helpful existence, obsolescence or failure yet many have valuable components, for example antennas, that may last considerably longer compared to existence from the satellite. When satellites in GEO "retire," they're put in a GEO disposal or "graveyard" orbit. That graveyard potentially holds hundreds to greater than a hundred upon the market satellites which have components that may be repurposed using the willing understanding and sanction from the satellite's owner."
So basically, there's an orbit worth mining for parts that will help cut the price on launches of recent satellites, and repair individuals already available online for.
The brand new Phoenix program would create technologies that will permit the cropping of valuable aspects of satellites within this graveyard orbit. This program will bring together the very best minds to devise small "nanosatellites" that might be cheaper to produce, which could basically complete its very own construction by securing onto a current satellite within the graveyard orbit, and taking advantage of the various components it requires.
"If the program is effective, space debris becomes space resource," stated DARPA Director, Regina E. Dugan.
This is the type of statement that tugs at our treehugging heart strings.
"Satellites in GEO are not shipped to become taken apart or fixed, therefore it is not dependent on simply getting rid of some nuts and bolts," stated David Barnhart, DARPA program manager. "This involves new remote imaging and robotics technology and special tools to grip, cut, and modify complex systems, since existing joints are often molded or welded. Another challenge is developing new remote operating methods to keep two parts together so another robot hand' can join all of them with another part, like a fastener, all in zero gravity. For an individual operating such robotics, the complexness is comparable to attempting to assemble via handheld remote control multiple Legos simultaneously while searching via a telescope."
Fast Company reminds us, "This really is very difficult task... This is an ambitious goal, but when any agency knows how to make a stunt such as this, it's DARPA."
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