[amsat-bb] Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then?

[Michael Tondee]

I'm sure you are joking with the AO-40 reference. No one is interested 
in helping amateurs put new sats into orbit much less fixing one of our 
broken ones. :-)
73,
Michael, W4HIJ

David - KG4ZLB wrote:
>   Rogue satellites to be cleared from Earth's orbit by German robots
>
> German-built robots are to be sent into Earth's orbit to repair 'dead 
> satellites' or push them into outer space, according to a report in 
> Sunday's Guardian newspaper.
>
> Robots that rescue failing satellites and push 'dead' ones into outer 
> space should be ready in four years, it has emerged. Experts described 
> the development by German scientists as a crucial step in preventing a 
> disaster in the Earth's crowded orbit.
>
> Last year it was reported that critical levels of debris circling the 
> Earth were threatening astronauts' lives and the future of the 
> multibillion-pound satellite communications industry. But senior figures 
> at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) told the /Observer/ they have been 
> given the go-ahead to tackle a crisis that will come to a head in the 
> next five to 10 years as more orbiting objects run out of fuel.
>
> Their robots will dock with failing satellites to carry out repairs or 
> push them into "graveyard orbits", freeing vital space in geostationary 
> orbit. This is the narrow band 22,000 miles above the Earth in which 
> orbiting objects appear fixed at the same point. More than 200 dead 
> satellites litter this orbit. Within 10 years that number could increase 
> fivefold, the International Association for the Advancement of Space 
> Safety has warned.
>
> You can read the full article / 'Rogue satellites to be cleared from 
> Earth's orbit by German robots'/ at:
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/oct/11/space-robots-clear-rogue-satellites
>
>   
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