Last hebdomad , two European Space Agency Galileo satellites were come in into awrong , lower orbital cavity . As concern grow about finding a way to correct the mishap , an insurance company is reportedly consulting with an Israeli inauguration that is developing an orbital tug to manage obstinate planet .
[ Image : Effective Space Solutions ]
Although ESA soil teams confirm that they are in contact with the Galileo artificial satellite and are able to control them , the tangible question is whether the satellite — Europe ’s edition of the U.S. GPS satellite navigation system — will be usable .
As Forbesreports :
Both satellites are equipped with 70 kg each of propellant and are subject of moving away from their current reach . But one of the problems facing the Galileo squad , the ESA voice narrate me , is that moving the satellites to the target range might require the use of goods and services of all of the available fuel – meaning that the life cycle of the satellite would be reduce . to boot , he added , there may not even be enough fuel to get to the target orbit anyway .
The ESA is also investigating the theory that the satellite might still be useable for navigation in their current orbit , but that ’s still being evaluated by team on the ground . “ The worst case scenario , ” harmonise to the ESA , is that the satellites may not be able to be used for the Galileo program at all . ”
Meanwhile , according toSpaceNews , insurers have met with representatives ofEffective Space Solutions — a inauguration found by Arie Halsband , a former Israel Aerospace Industries executive . The fellowship is developing a microsatellite called the DeOrbiter ( picture above ) , which would be used to extend the life-time of satellites running low on fuel .
The tech site Israel21creports :
As an knocked out - space tug , the DeOrbiter is designed to service satellites , keep them “ in station ” to extend their utile life , monitor them , deorbit them and pull lose artificial satellite back on line . It will have to match the stop number of the mislaid satellites , which move at 13,500 kilometers per hr ( 8,400 mph ) , and could be spinning .
“ DeOrbiter has a sensing element to locate a satellite , ” Halsband explains . “ Then it achieves a rendezvous with the orbiter and has a unique grapple and docking mechanics to take hold it in place . We put a lot of energy into our microsatellite that allows each one to do these tasks more than 20 clip . ”
The microsatellite is not only more lightweight and cheaper to make than a full - size planet , but also much cheaper to set in motion .
This gives the Israeli fellowship an edge over competitor that are designing full - size satellite tugboats , says Halsband , because the price tag for launching a satellite into place is the most satisfying toll of the charge – up to $ 100 million for a utter launcher .
In accession , DeOrbiter ’s ion propulsion system of rules is say to be 10 - 15 times more effective than that of vie designs .
Effective Space Solutions take that their tiny tugboat could be ready in 18 month . In the lag , report SpaceNews , other company and space programs , including NASA Goddard Space Flight Center , are eyeball the strand - but - healthy Galileo satellites as an ideal opportunity to examine their own robotlike rescue technology , which promise to become a mature niche industry in the near - future .
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