New Method to Remove Space Junk: Ion Engine Exhaust to Safely Deorbit Debris

A new method to tackle the growing problem of space junk in low Earth orbit has been proposed by Kazunori Takahashi from Tohoku University in Japan. The solution involves using the exhaust from a spacecraft’s ion engine to gradually push debris out of orbit. Space debris, including dead satellites and fragments from past missions, presents a significant threat to operational spacecraft and the International Space Station (ISS). This new ion engine design aims to push large pieces of space junk into the Earth’s atmosphere, where they can burn up safely. The technology utilizes two exhausts that cancel each other out to allow the satellite to remain stationary while performing the cleanup task. Takahashi’s bi-directional plasma thruster works by ionizing gas like argon and using electromagnetic fields to direct the plasma, generating thrust. Compared to traditional ion engines, this system requires more power, but recent experiments have shown it could provide enough thrust to remove large debris in a timely manner. The system’s effectiveness is crucial in preventing the potential Kessler syndrome, a runaway chain reaction of collisions in space that could make low Earth orbit hazardous. This breakthrough is seen as a promising step in addressing the increasing amount of space debris that threatens both space missions and the environment.