satelitter

Satelitter is a conceptual term that refers to a hypothetical artificial satellite designed for the purpose of collecting and processing space debris. The name is a portmanteau of "satellite" and "litter." The primary objective of a satelitter would be to actively remove the growing amount of defunct spacecraft and fragments that pose a collision risk to operational satellites and future space missions.

Various design concepts have been proposed for satelitters. Some envision them as large orbital platforms equipped with robotic arms or nets to capture debris. Others suggest smaller, more agile units that could rendezvous with specific pieces of debris and de-orbit them safely, perhaps by pushing them into Earth's atmosphere where they would burn up. The technology required for such missions is still largely in its developmental stages, including advanced propulsion systems for maneuvering, sophisticated sensing and tracking capabilities for debris identification, and reliable grappling mechanisms.

The development of satelitters is motivated by the increasing concern over Kessler Syndrome, a theoretical scenario where the density of objects in low Earth orbit becomes so high that collisions create a cascade of further collisions, rendering the orbital environment unusable. While no satelitters have been launched to date, the research and development in this area are considered crucial for the long-term sustainability of space activities. International cooperation and standardized protocols would likely be necessary for the successful deployment and operation of any satelitter system.