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Cake day: June 10th, 2023

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  • If the plan is to just grab a single client spacecraft, and tow it then this is basically already in progress. We will see this happen when NASA launches OSAM.

    Seems like an arm that can clamp to the marman ring costs a lot less, and can be ready now.

    To go full sci-fi, though, lasers are likely a good tool for smaller debris. High power lasers can ablate the prograde side of small debris, using the gassified solids to push the debris into a lower orbit until the atmosphere can take over.

    In very similar technology, I would suggest reading about electrodynamic tethers, where instead of shooting electrons at ships, you can use a long wire to claw your way through earth’s magnetic field.