Space scavenger. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

space scavenger

12.07.2010

Near-Earth orbits are littered with a huge amount of obsolete space technology, various debris and even tools lost by astronauts during spacewalks. All this "waste" poses a threat to orbiting satellites and the International Space Station.

Specialists from the University of Surrey (England) propose to use the so-called solar sail to solve the problem: a surface made of a thin aluminized polymer film, mounted on a spacecraft and turned towards the sun's rays. Light pressure can push the satellite a little, counteracting braking in very rarefied layers of the Earth's atmosphere, reaching the near-Earth space.

This is far from a new and already tested idea in space. But the British engineers propose, after the end of the satellite's service, to deploy the sail in such a way that it slows down the movement.

As a result, the satellite will descend into the dense layers of the atmosphere faster than without additional braking and burn out. Moreover, the deployed sail along the road will pick up small space debris, leaving behind a cleared lane.

A prototype space scavenger with a 25-square-meter sail is due to launch in late 2011.

<< Back: Metal detector in the palm of your hand 13.07.2010

>> Forward: Windmills - scrapped 10.07.2010

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Hyperbolas hyperloop 21.11.2015

The term "Hyperloop" was coined a couple of years ago by renowned entrepreneur and visionary Elon Musk. Then he promised that this new vehicle would be 2 times faster than an airplane and 3-4 times faster than a high-speed train, and also made several more hyperbolic statements. According to him, the cost of the project should be 10 times cheaper compared to the current high-speed train in California, there will be no accidents on the "loop", it will work on solar energy, and transport capsules will move at short intervals, like in the subway.

Since Musk said that he himself had no time to deal with the idea, he transferred technological developments to the public. The baton was picked up by Hyperloop Technologies, which decided to build an experimental track for this on an elevated pipeline, inside which single transport capsules 480-1 m long will move at a speed of 220 to 25 km / h in one direction.

At the recently held international technology forum Web Summit 2015, Hyperloop Technologies CEO Rob Lloyd said that the entire scientific basis for the successful implementation of the project already exists, and now the main task is to create the optimal architecture for its implementation. The main directions are the development of a pipe with a fore vacuum with a pressure of 100 Pa and a capsule in the form of an "aircraft without wings".

The head of the company also said that Hyperloop Technologies has already ordered the necessary materials, and construction work on the 3 km test track will begin in California in January. So far, the tests, which are scheduled for the end of 2016, will take place at a speed of just over 600 km / h.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews