. 24/7 Space News .
ROCKET SCIENCE
Turning space junk into rocket fuel
by Staff Writers
Moscow (Sputnik) Nov 22, 2021

.

While SpaceX is working hard to make reusable rockets a new reality, the launches still leave behind massive amounts of debris in orbit, posing a potential hazard to communication satellites and spacecraft, as the thousands of fragments move at speeds of up to 14 kilometers per second.

Australian aerospace company Neumann Space has developed a new technology that would enable the processing of space debris into rocket fuel in space. The "in-space electric propulsion system" is expected to enhance the potential of space flights.

The chain of processing space junk is seen by specialists as a multi-step task requiring a combination of different spacecraft. So far, Japanese start-up Astroscale presented its debris-collector technology earlier this summer, and American company Nanoracks has developed a machine that would store and grind waste materials in space.

Another US company, Cislunar, constructed an experimental space foundry to melt debris into metal rods that would be used in Neumann Space's "in-space electric propulsion system" to produce solid fuel. The principle is based on an ion thruster "which uses electricity, in powerful bursts similar to an arc welder, to produce plasma, and thrust."

When Neumann Space was approached to be part of a supply chain that would melt metal in space, it seemed to them to be a little too futuristic, "but they got a grant from NASA so we built a prototype and it works," said the company's chief executive officer Herve Astier, as cited by The Guardian.

"We did a live technology demonstration," he noted. "One can grab a piece of debris, one can cut the debris open, one can melt the debris, and we can use that."

According to Astier, the point of processing debris in space is that no money would be required to "take it down into the atmosphere and burn it up." He added that in principle it would look like "a gas station in space."

The main issue with debris in space is the high speeds at which it travels. Even fragments as small as a button are dangerous as they can penetrate the anti-meteorite protection of the orbital station. In addition, any spacecraft or station is doomed when colliding with an object over 10 centimeters.

There are approximately 128 million pieces of space debris larger than 1 millimeter and 34 thousand larger than 10 centimeters. About 3,000 satellites have been disabled due to collisions with debris.

Source: RIA Novosti


Related Links
Neumann Space
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


ROCKET SCIENCE
Hypersonix to use Siemens' software in design of its hydrogen fuelled launchers
Brisbane, Australia (SPX) Nov 04, 2021
Brisbane-based aerospace engineering start-up Hypersonix Launch Systems has chosen Siemens' Xcelerator portfolio of software to help design its sustainable and reusable hypersonic launch vehicle, Delta-Velos. Hypersonix plans to implement advanced aerodynamic and thermal modelling software from Siemens' Simcenter portfolio, which will play a key role in building certainty and reliability of the launch vehicle responsible for placing small satellites into Low Earth Orbit once developed and in servi ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

ROCKET SCIENCE
Japanese space tourists arrive at launch site ahead of ISS trip

Russia launches new docking module to ISS

NASA awards contract for bed rest studies

Daughter of first American in space on next Blue Origin flight

ROCKET SCIENCE
OHB Luxspace inks contract with Exotrail for ExoMGTM electric propulsion system onboard Triton-X Heavy platform.

RocketStar gets SBIR contract to develop new plasma thrusters

ESA Boost! contract for flight demonstration of Spectrum launch vehicle

Maritime Launch Services announces Nanoracks as payload provider; Unveils Spaceport Nova Scotia design

ROCKET SCIENCE
Mars helicopter Ingenuity completes 16th flight

Curiosity sends a picture postcard from Mars

ASU team celebrates 20th anniversary of NASA's Mars Odyssey Orbiter arrival at the Red Planet

Analysis of Mars's wind-induced vibrations sheds light on the planet's subsurface properties

ROCKET SCIENCE
Chinese astronauts' EVAs to help extend mechanical arm

Astronaut becomes first Chinese woman to spacewalk

Shenzhou XIII crew ready for first spacewalk

Chinese astronauts arrive at space station for longest mission

ROCKET SCIENCE
First Airbus built Inmarsat-6 satellite shipped to Japan ready for launch

Decisions from the ESA Intermediate Ministerial Meeting 2021

Satellite operator Telesat goes public

CGI selected for GSA's ASTRO space and development IDIQ contract

ROCKET SCIENCE
When debris disaster strikes

Teledyne e2v HiRel offers new radiation dosimeters for space applications

Russia creates debris field near ISS

DARPA focusing on biomanufacturing to B-SURE

ROCKET SCIENCE
New deep learning method adds 301 planets to Kepler's total count

Hubble Finds Flame Nebula's Searing Stars May Halt Planet Formation

Roasted and Shredded by a Stellar Sidekick

NASA announces discovery of 301 new exoplanets

ROCKET SCIENCE
Science results offer first 3D view of Jupiter's atmosphere

Juno peers deep into Jupiter's colorful belts and zones

Scientists find strange black 'superionic ice' that could exist inside other planets

Jupiter's Great Red Spot is deeper than thought, shaped like lens









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.