The space around our planet is becoming increasingly cluttered with debris that threatens satellites and the International Space Station. An innovative new approach could enable moving these dangerous objects without even having to touch them, paving the way for safer and more efficient cleanup operations.
The ALBATOR project, funded by the European Commission to the tune of €3.9 million, is exploring an original method using a beam of charged particles. Unlike traditional techniques that require physical contact with debris, this approach uses an ion jet to exert remote thrust.
The designers claim this method eliminates the risks associated with capture or docking, while offering greater intervention flexibility. Several European universities and companies specializing in space surveillance are participating in this project, which will span three and a half years.
Representation of a spacecraft moving space debris using an ion beam.
Credit: ALBATOR The stakes are considerable since the European Space Agency estimates there are 140 million orbital fragments, some measuring barely one millimeter. This debris, coming from old satellites and launch remnants, travels at dizzying speeds and represents a permanent threat to space infrastructure. Surveillance systems manage to track the largest objects, but the massive arrival of new satellite constellations is constantly worsening the situation.
ALBATOR's technology relies on a well-known physical principle: the controlled emission of electrically charged ions can generate sufficient force to modify an object's trajectory. This technique, developed by French startup Osmos X, could be tested in space as early as 2030. The Spanish and German researchers associated with the project are working to optimize the system so it can adapt to different debris sizes.
According to a recent study published in the
Journal of Geophysical Research, the amount of space debris could equal that of meteoritic dust by 2040. This alarming projection underscores the urgency of developing effective cleanup solutions. The European Innovation Council's Pathfinder program, which supports ALBATOR, specifically aims to support promising technologies capable of creating new markets while addressing critical environmental problems.
Industrial partners like NorthStar emphasize the safety and versatility of this non-kinetic approach. By avoiding any direct contact with debris, the risks of additional fragmentation are significantly reduced. This method could complement other techniques under development, such as capture nets or protective shields, to form a complete arsenal for protecting the orbital environment.
How ion beams work in space
The ion beams used in the ALBATOR project rely on the principle of plasma electrodynamics. A plasma is an ionized gas containing positively and negatively charged particles. In the space context, these beams can be generated by electric thrusters that accelerate ions to very high speeds.
When these ions collide with an object, they transfer their momentum, thus creating sufficient thrust to gradually modify its trajectory. This technique is particularly suited to microgravity environments where weak forces can produce significant effects over the long term.
Unlike mechanical methods, using ion beams allows intervention from a safe distance, avoiding any risk of accidental collision. The system's precision enables specifically targeting the most dangerous debris without affecting nearby operational satellites.
Current research aims to optimize the energy efficiency of these systems and develop control algorithms capable of adapting the beam's power according to the size and composition of targeted debris.
Space debris surveillance
The detection and tracking of space debris represents an ever-evolving technological field. Surveillance systems mainly use ground-based radars and optical telescopes to catalog objects in orbit. These instruments can detect fragments as small as a few centimeters at altitudes up to 2,000 kilometers (about 1,240 miles).
The collected data is analyzed by specialized centers like the U.S. Space Surveillance Network or ESA's European network. These organizations maintain precise catalogs containing the orbital parameters of hundreds of thousands of objects, enabling increasingly accurate prediction of collision risks.
New surveillance technologies now include laser systems capable of measuring debris distance and speed with extreme precision. Some experimental projects are even exploring the use of dedicated surveillance satellites from space, offering improved coverage and resolution.
Artificial intelligence plays an increasingly important role in processing surveillance data, enabling identification of risky trajectories and optimization of avoidance maneuvers for operational satellites.