robots capable of intercepting any close object

Short. During a public talk at the University of Nankín, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) He explained that they are designing A “fast response system” for the Tiangong Space Station.

The active defense system, which has no precedents in the context of a space station, would deploy small propelled robots capable of grabbing and pushing any artifact that invades the station exclusion zone.

How it works. The objective declared by the National Space Science Center is not to destroy, but to take away the intruder to protect the crew and its own infrastructure. Each tugboat would carry an autonomous propulsion system and an arm or fastening ring.

Before launching a robot, the system would consider less aggressive options, such as an evasive maneuver or an altitude adjustment of the station. Only if the risk persisted, the device would be sent. After evaluating the path of the unauthorized visitor, a tugboat robot would anchor him and displace him a few kilometers outside the tiangong orbit.

This does not go from space war. On July 1 and October 21, 2021, China had to perform emergency maneuvers to prevent the Tiangong Space Station collide with two satellites of the Starlink constellationwhich descended from an orbit of 550 km to 400 km, the usual altitude of Tiangong.

Although SpaceX states that their satellites have automatic evasion protocols, China explained to the UN that the proliferation of large constellations “reduces the operational security margin” and makes real -time coordination difficult to protect its astronauts.

Or yes? A Reuters analysis He described the Chinese initiative as a “first step towards possible orbital battles”, although he acknowledges that, if the non -lethal nature of the robots is confirmed, it would be physical deterrence rather than a weapon in its classic sense.

Other countries already develop similar coupling and trailer systems to withdraw Large pieces of space garbagesuch as dead satellites, old rocket stages or damaged ships. The difference would lie in when and against whom these systems are used, taking into account The military escalation of space and The proliferation of spy ship.

Does not violate space law. Although mass details, fuel or number of robots are confidential (such as the date of planned deployment), the outdoor space treaty only prohibits to place weapons of mass destruction in orbit: it does not veto conventional kinetic devices, or towing systems.

If the robots limit themselves to pushing without damaging, they would fit into the principle of use for peaceful purposes. However, the potential to force the trajectory of the ship of another state can raise disputes on “harmful interference”, a concept collected in the same treaty. For now, we can leave it that China is preparing an active “orbital escort” system.

Image | CSA

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