Airbus Launches Device to Tackle Growing Issue of Space Debris
The Earth’s orbit is becoming increasingly cluttered with defunct spacecraft and other pieces of debris, posing a risk to active satellites and future missions. In response to this growing issue, Airbus has created a new device designed to keep satellites from tumbling aimlessly in orbit after they’re no longer operational.
The device, known as Detumbler, was launched on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-9 mission. Weighing just 100 grams, Detumbler is a magnetic damping device meant to be attached to satellites nearing the end of their operational life. It utilizes a central rotor wheel and magnets to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, preventing unwanted tumbling motion when a satellite becomes defunct.
Developed in 2021 with support from the French Space Agency CNES, Detumbler aims to address the increasing risk of space debris. Dead satellites can tumble in unpredictable ways, posing a threat of collision with other spacecraft or uncontrolled reentries into Earth’s atmosphere. The device is designed to make it easier to capture defunct satellites during future clean-up missions by keeping them on a more predictable path in Earth orbit.
In early 2024, the Detumbler will be tested on the Exo-0 nanosatellite from EnduroSat with a series of detumbling demonstrations. This marks an important step in addressing the issue of space debris as the global space industry continues to expand, increasing the likelihood of collisions in orbit.
With more than 27,000 pieces of orbital debris currently being tracked and countless smaller pieces floating undetected, the need for mitigation methods is becoming increasingly critical. A recent space debris clean-up mission was even struck by debris in August, underscoring the urgency of finding effective solutions to this growing problem.
As the space industry continues to evolve, it is essential to prioritize measures to address the issue of space debris and ensure the safety and sustainability of activities in Earth’s orbit. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and bookmark Gizmodo’s dedicated Spaceflight page for more updates on this important issue.