California (Web Desk): The United Kingdom has begun work on an innovative plan to tackle the growing amount of space debris orbiting Earth. The project involves developing a robotic spacecraft equipped with large claws.
Under the plan, the spacecraft will capture defunct satellites using its claws and guide them towards Earth’s atmosphere, where they will burn up due to intense heat.
Experts warn that even a small piece of space debris colliding with an operational satellite or spacecraft could cause severe damage, potentially disrupting communications and other vital space services.
The UK plans to spend approximately $81 million on the project. Its primary objective is to reduce the number of defunct satellites in Earth’s orbit and protect operational spacecraft from potential collisions.
If successful, the project could open up new possibilities for removing defunct satellites from orbit and addressing the growing problem of space debris.