COSMORS

COSMORS is a proposed orbital debris removal mission concept developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). The full name stands for Clean Space orbital removal system. The primary objective of COSMORS is to demonstrate and validate technologies necessary for actively removing existing space debris from Earth orbit, particularly in crowded regions like the low Earth orbit.

The mission aims to address the growing problem of space junk, which poses a significant threat to operational satellites and future space missions. COSMORS envisions a spacecraft equipped with various tools and methods to capture and deorbit a piece of debris. These methods could include robotic arms for grappling, harpoons, nets, or other innovative capture mechanisms. Once captured, the debris would be maneuvered into a lower orbit where it would burn up upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

COSMORS is intended to be a technology demonstrator rather than a large-scale debris removal service. Its success would pave the way for future, more ambitious missions aimed at clearing specific orbital corridors. The project is part of ESA's broader efforts in space sustainability and actively seeks to develop solutions for the long-term viability of space activities. The development of COSMORS involves research into advanced robotics, autonomous navigation, and efficient deorbiting techniques.