Could the robots manage a closeup or high quality photo of the physical condition of Oscar 40, just to stir the pot? I must guess that a great many interested minds would be highly motivated and inspired by such a report! Imagine how amazing it would be to know such things as the spin and orientation, the presence of extra holes, missing/dammaged parts or panels, etc!
I would doubt that there's anything a robot could to to effect any sort of repair to this, but at least we could decide if it's worth leaving for possible later recovery efforts , or trashing to improve the safety of future craft. Either way, adventure awaits! There is obviously a common interest in these observations, not only from our ranks, but also for commercial and government interests, whose own orbital gear(might nearly) crosse-paths with ours, and is therfore justified for investigaion. Auke ----- Original Message ----- From: "David - KG4ZLB" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2009 10:30 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then? > > 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 > > -- > David > KG4ZLB > www.kg4zlb.com > > _______________________________________________ > 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.421 / Virus Database: 270.14.20/2439 - Release Date: 10/15/09 20:39:00 _______________________________________________ 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
