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Science

cos dem

(943 posts)

9. Iron and steel is pretty lousy strength/weight ratio-wise.

Reply to Nitram (Reply #6)

Mon Mar 19, 2018, 10:13 PM

Mar 2018

So, it doesn't get used in satellite structures very much. You'll find a lot more aluminum, especially honeycomb panels. Also, quite a bit of composite materials, as long as they don't outgas too much.

I'm guessing the best way to deal with these small bits is to blast them with a high power laser. Not necessarily to destroy them, but to get them to deorbit quickly. Needless to say, high power lasers in orbit are a wee bit controversial.

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Big harpoon is 'solution to space junk' [View all] Judi Lynn Mar 2018 OP

Like a giant squid. applegrove Mar 2018 #1

It's not the big satellites that are the problem. cos dem Mar 2018 #2

You are right, cos dem. Nitram Mar 2018 #6

Iron and steel is pretty lousy strength/weight ratio-wise. cos dem Mar 2018 #9

Isn't a laser more likely to burn them up than "push" them out of orbit? Nitram Mar 2018 #11

A more interesting approach, a little bit near the edge of science fiction, is ion propulsion... NNadir Mar 2018 #12

Actually XIPS is pretty standard on the Boeing 702 bus, which is one of the most popular ... cos dem Mar 2018 #14

Well, there you go... These however are most likely small ion engines for small adjustments. NNadir Mar 2018 #15

Vaporizing is actually OK. Vapors aren't a problem, it's particles. cos dem Mar 2018 #13

another bit of James Bond tech comes to reality lapfog_1 Mar 2018 #3

That will work about as well as a harpoon will work to remove ocean plastic. FreepFryer Mar 2018 #4

Re: 'Gravity'. byronius Mar 2018 #7

Yup. There's a longer film called 'Space Junk' that goes into detail re risks to human spacetravel. FreepFryer Mar 2018 #8

Do take "Gravity" with a huge grain of salt. cos dem Mar 2018 #10

they have some extra a 380's available. nt msongs Mar 2018 #5