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Space Debris
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Space Spiders
and Other Icky Things
The primary problem in retrieving space debris is the availability of maneuvering and thrust fluids. To
de-orbit space debris requires reaction mass. A lot of the is debris is metallic. Taking a page from
nature. Spiders inject a fluid into their insect meals. This liquefies the soft parts of the insect which can
be readily sucked out.
A “Space Spider” could liquefy some of the captured debris and use it for reaction mass. It could
put small pieces into a chamber, (or perhaps an open system using coils and accelerator plates) and
apply a small arc or corona to a metal surface to vaporize it. The vaporized plasma could be
accelerated by magnetic or electrostatic means to act as reaction mass. The small arc is necessary to
prevent the formation of slag or molten droplets. The arc should only remove a thin portion from the
surface of a large piece of debris. A small piece of metallic debris might be entirely consumed.
Also to de-orbit debris there needs to be designated orbits (or shapes of orbits) that these slow
delta-vee machines can move through without endangering active satellites. It can eat small debris to
move to a higher orbit to get a large piece, then munch on that piece down to a lower orbit where it
will leave it to eventually enter the atmosphere. Eat and repeat as necessary.
Someone have suggested getting the debris up to Earth's escape velocity rather than trying to bring
it back through Earth's crowded space. In nature, spiders can disperse their young with silk
parachutes. The “Space Spider” might take the debris and assemble a pod for a light sail. Has anyone
ever gotten a light sail to actually work in orbit?
The “Space Spider” may use a lot of electrical energy so it will need sizable solar panels. From time
to time it will also need maintenance at a spiders nest in orbit where remotely operated (tele-presense)
robots could repair it. At this nest consumable components like electrodes and digestive juices could
be replaced.
For smaller, more dispersed debris, I have other ideas.
If this is of any interest to anyone please contact me. I am willing to form a collaboration. No
interest = not worth the time or trouble to continue. Being ahead of your time pays pretty badly.
Louis P. Quinn
February 2 2010
and Other Icky Things
The primary problem in retrieving space debris is the availability of maneuvering and thrust fluids. To
de-orbit space debris requires reaction mass. A lot of the is debris is metallic. Taking a page from
nature. Spiders inject a fluid into their insect meals. This liquefies the soft parts of the insect which can
be readily sucked out.
A “Space Spider” could liquefy some of the captured debris and use it for reaction mass. It could
put small pieces into a chamber, (or perhaps an open system using coils and accelerator plates) and
apply a small arc or corona to a metal surface to vaporize it. The vaporized plasma could be
accelerated by magnetic or electrostatic means to act as reaction mass. The small arc is necessary to
prevent the formation of slag or molten droplets. The arc should only remove a thin portion from the
surface of a large piece of debris. A small piece of metallic debris might be entirely consumed.
Also to de-orbit debris there needs to be designated orbits (or shapes of orbits) that these slow
delta-vee machines can move through without endangering active satellites. It can eat small debris to
move to a higher orbit to get a large piece, then munch on that piece down to a lower orbit where it
will leave it to eventually enter the atmosphere. Eat and repeat as necessary.
Someone have suggested getting the debris up to Earth's escape velocity rather than trying to bring
it back through Earth's crowded space. In nature, spiders can disperse their young with silk
parachutes. The “Space Spider” might take the debris and assemble a pod for a light sail. Has anyone
ever gotten a light sail to actually work in orbit?
The “Space Spider” may use a lot of electrical energy so it will need sizable solar panels. From time
to time it will also need maintenance at a spiders nest in orbit where remotely operated (tele-presense)
robots could repair it. At this nest consumable components like electrodes and digestive juices could
be replaced.
For smaller, more dispersed debris, I have other ideas.
If this is of any interest to anyone please contact me. I am willing to form a collaboration. No
interest = not worth the time or trouble to continue. Being ahead of your time pays pretty badly.
Louis P. Quinn
February 2 2010