A tiny Japanese satellite named LignoSat, made entirely of magnolia wood, has arrived at the International Space Station (ISS). This innovative spacecraft aims to revolutionize space exploration by offering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional aluminum satellites. LignoSat’s success could pave the way for a future where wooden spacecraft are the norm, minimizing the harmful effects of space junk and pollution.
Astroscale, a company focused on removing orbital debris, has successfully conducted the first-ever controlled flyaround of a large piece of space junk. This maneuver, captured in a timelapse, marks a significant step towards clearing low-Earth orbit of hazardous debris and creating a sustainable space environment.
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were forced to take shelter in the docked Starliner spacecraft after a defunct Russian satellite broke apart in orbit, sending debris racing around Earth. The incident highlights the growing problem of space junk and the risks faced by NASA’s Starliner mission.
A piece of space debris from the International Space Station crashed through a Florida home, prompting the family to demand compensation from NASA. This incident raises questions about liability for space junk and could set a precedent for future compensation claims.
Astroscale, a company specializing in orbital debris removal, has successfully captured detailed images of a large piece of space junk, a spent rocket upper stage, from a distance of just 50 meters. This unprecedented feat was achieved by the Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J) satellite, part of Japan’s Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration (CRD2) initiative. The images provide crucial insights into the condition and movement of the space junk, paving the way for future removal missions.
A long-lost experimental satellite launched in 1974 has been rediscovered by the U.S. Space Force, 25 years after it disappeared. The Infra-Red Calibration Balloon (S73-7) satellite was found using tracking data, after it had been missing for decades. The satellite was originally deployed from a larger satellite and was intended to serve as a calibration target, but failed to do so. It then drifted off into space and became part of the large amount of space junk orbiting Earth.
