Actually they are referring to the Geostationary Sats at the equator. Roger WA1KAT
----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Tondee" <[email protected]> Cc: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 1:29 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then? > 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-satel lites > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > > Version: 8.5.421 / Virus Database: 270.14.9/2428 - Release Date: 10/11/09 06:39:00 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
