{Disarmed} ELSA-d s super magnet works: anti-debris mission captures orbiting object for the first time

The problem of space debris grows as we put more vehicles into orbit, seeing that from time to time it causes accidents that can be dangerous (especially in the case of the International Space Station , constantly with crew members). Space agencies urge to end the problem due to the risks and expense it causes, one of the solutions being the ELSA-d mission , which has finally been able to capture an object in orbit for the first time .

ELSA-d was put into orbit months ago (since March 2021) with its powerful magnetic system to capture out-of-phase satellites and launch them into the atmosphere for destruction. Although solutions have been proposed to avoid this re-entry and that it is rather killed by gunshots , the re-introduction into the atmosphere has been somewhat more recurrent, with ELSA-d being one more example and this mission being aimed at creating a standard in the industry (of disposing of garbage).

Magnets have passed their most important test

The ELSA-d system has been in the testing phase since its launch and into orbit at about 550 kilometers. Now, as the end of its mission nears, ELSA-d has managed to capture an orbiting object for the first time .

As we described when talking about the mission (and we remembered at the beginning), ELSA-d has a capture system composed of a powerful magnet in the main module that acts as an anchor, so what they have done is make a series of anchoring and unmooring monitoring the process and calibrating the sensors. This is phase 3a of tests, which will be followed by phase 3b, which will involve some autonomous approach maneuvers , first with the relatively static object and then with one that is turning on itself.

The ELSA-d roadmap. Image: https://astroscale.com/astroscales-elsa-d-successfully-demonstrates-repeated-magnetic-capture/">Astroscale

With this, they consider the magnetic system to trap space debris to be validated, continuing with the next steps that will involve inspection practices and their final test : dispose of their batteries and fuel before rushing into the Earth's atmosphere (with the object). It will be necessary to see if everything goes as planned and if in the end ELSA-d can provide a standard that effectively serves to reduce the problem and not continue to increase it.

In this sense, concern about excess space debris has also been increased not so much by debris, but by objects that actively and functionally orbit the Earth . Starlink has received much criticism and alarm bells from astronomers , so they signed an agreement with NASA to avoid collisions. A company that is not alone in planning to offer satellite internet , so future garbage-destroying missions will clearly have work in the coming decades, when these satellites may become damaged or obsolete.

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Image | Astroscale

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The news ELSA-d's super-magnet works: the anti-space debris mission captures for the first time an object in orbit was originally published in xiaomist.com by Anna Martí .