Important Innovations

  New Robot Capable of Catching "A Speeding Bullet" in Space                                  Source:  Space Junk Stock Image                                                            Source:  Origin Space's NEO-1 Leading to New Technologies For Mining Asteroids There are more than 500,000 pieces of space debris hurtling through space.  They all travel at 17,500 mph and even a small piece can damage or destroy a satellite or spacecraft.  Now, a China space mining company Origin Space has launched a robot prototype that is capable of catching space debris with a large net.  The technology is the equivalent of catching a speeding bullet.  The 30 kg robot is called NEO-1.  Origin Space says the robot is also designed to lead the way for the development of future asteroid mining technologies.  NEO-1's current mission also includes searching deep space for small celestial objects. Collecting Space Junk NEO-1 will use a large net to capture space junk and then burn the deb

Trash Collector for Space Source:  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Tiny, Semi-Autonomous CubeSats Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing tiny, inexpensive CubeSats to capture and destroy debris in space.  There are more than 129 million pieces of space debris.  And they pose a danger to space vehicles because they travel at such high velocities.  For a news blog on the satellite system, go to Important Innovations Collection: CubeSats Catch Space Debris : Tiny, Semi-Autonomous, Cheap Source:  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute New Invention:  Trash Collector for Space Researchers at Re...