Researchers at the University of Bern have figured out a more accurate way to monitor space debris and keep it from hitting satellites.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/sm
They are the first in the world to pinpoint the location of debris using a geodetic laser during daylight hours. Their technique makes it possible to measure the distance to a piece of debris, which in turn can help predict and prevent collisions with satellites at an early stage.
There are about 20,000 known pieces of space debris floating around. Every year, the European Space Agency issues thousands of collision warnings per active satellite and performs dozens of evasive manoeuvres.
“Unfortunately, the orbits of these disused satellites, launcher upper stages or fragments of collisions and explosions are not known with sufficient accuracy, i.e. only to a few hundred meters,” explained Thomas Schildknecht, head of the Zimmerwald Observatory and deputy director of the Astronomical Institute at the University of Bern.
His team has improved the trajectory accuracy to a few meters by developing a satellite laser ranging method. To date, only a few observatories worldwide have succeeded in determining distances to space debris using powerful lasers, and previously, these measurements were only possible at night.
More
More
In space exploration, Switzerland punches above its weight
This content was published on
Swiss astrophysicists are at the forefront of the hunt for exoplanets, as they are in many areas of space exploration and research.
“Observing during the day allows for the number of measures to be multiplied. There is a whole network of stations with geodetic lasers, which could in future help build up a highly precise space debris orbit catalog. More accurate orbits will be essential in future to avoid collisions and improve safety and sustainability in space,” Schildknecht said in a statementExternal link published on Friday.
More
More
Swiss start-up embarks on space cleaning mission
This content was published on
Cleaning up space is the mission of a new Swiss start-up, ClearSpace, which will capitalise on technology developed by engineers at the EPFL.
This content was published on
Researchers at the Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, (EPFL), hope the SFr10-million ($11-million) CleanSpace One prototype satellite will be in the skies by 2016 in a bid to help resolve the worsening space junk problem. “It’s time to do something to reduce the amount of debris floating around in space,” Swiss astronaut and EPFL professor…
Swiss population satisfied with life according to survey
This content was published on
In a survey, the population of German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland expressed general satisfaction with their lives. Respondents were less happy with politics and their personal finances, according to the online comparison service Moneyland.
WHO ‘extremely concerned’ about growing vaccination scepticism
This content was published on
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), vaccination scepticism and a collapse in funding for vaccination campaigns pose a major threat to the health of the world's population.
High-net-worth individuals prioritise well-being over material possessions
This content was published on
The priorities of wealthy private individuals have shifted against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade disputes. While spending on luxury goods is declining, demand for travel and experiences is unabated.
Swiss researchers sequence genome of 1918 Spanish flu virus
This content was published on
Researchers from the Universities of Basel and Zurich (UZH) have sequenced the genome of the Spanish flu virus, thanks to a sample taken from an 18-year-old Swiss boy who died in the city on the Limmat in 1918, when the pandemic spread around the world.
Swiss martyr beatified in Barcelona by Catholic Church
This content was published on
François-Benjamin May (1870-1909), a member of the Marist Brothers congregation, has been recognised as a 'blessed' by the Catholic Church.
Join the conversation!