The Phoenix Frankenprogram to reap the corpses of expired satellites and cobble together brand new ones appeared like certainly one of DARPA's more daft ideas, but that one has really began its first phase of development. The program would be to first launch something craft -- replete with robot arms and enough processing horsepower to operate individually as needed -- then the small base-unit skeleton satlets. The service mothership would use an orbital area known as the "graveyard", getting pre-selected cadavers and picking off functional parts, especially valuable antenna arrays, using its robo-braches. Individuals parts could be jury-rigged towards the bare-bones models, creating functional Government satellites and saving the $10,000 per pound launch cost. To date, a $2.5 million contract to build up the appropriate technologies have been set up, and bids for that no-extras satlets went a week ago. Lots of dirty jobs are still needed, check the recording following the break to ascertain if the excessively-elaborate plan can not-moot $300 billion of revolving about cold metal.
Continue reading through Government begins Phoenix trial to reap defunct satellites, MacGyver brand new ones from orbit
Government begins Phoenix trial to reap defunct satellites, MacGyver brand new ones from orbit initially made an appearance on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:46:00 EDT. Please visit our terms to be used of feeds.
Permalink
Slashdot 
Wired Email this Comments
No comments:
Post a Comment