Magdrive develops satellite tech to tackle space debris

Space debris is becoming a serious issue. Thousands of satellites orbiting Earth create risks for those aboard the International Space Station, which has to avoid collisions. Recently, space junk fell to Earth, landing in a village in Kenya. A British company named Magdrive is working on a solution. They created a new type of propulsion system that aims to clean up this orbiting debris. Traditional satellites use gas to power themselves, but Magdrive's system will use ionized solid metal. This method can create dense plasma, which the company claims makes their satellites much more maneuverable. Magdrive's technology could replace the less efficient chemical propellants used today. Metal is more stable and easier to transport into space. They envision a future where satellites could potentially consume space debris to refuel themselves. This idea, while theoretical, could help address two major problems with a single solution. However, there are significant legal and technical challenges. The United Nations Outer Space Treaty states that a satellite remains owned by its country, even if it breaks apart. This means a satellite designed to clean up space debris cannot simply destroy other satellites without permission. As space exploration grows, the future of satellite management will likely become increasingly complex.