Project Amoeba
The problem of space debris proliferation is one that by most estimates will get worse at an increasing rate. Private launch companies are decreasing the cost to launch for private organizations and governments. This is lowering the barrier to launch satellites (including microsatellites) into orbit (especially those satellites belonging to new satellite-based internet providers). Each launch increases the number of distinct objects in space and therefore adds to the space debris problem because, according to the ESA, the current end of life mitigation compliance is much less than 100%.
Some models, such as those of the ESA, predict that even if launches were to halt, the number of orbital collisions would still increase over time, eventually and inevitably leading to Kessler Syndrome. Since our current and future prospects at space-based science, communications, exploration, and potential settlement depends on the ability to safely achieve orbit, it is clear that steps must be taken immediately to actively reduce the amount of space debris in orbit.
Project Amoeba describes a space station architecture that follows many of the recommendations set forth in the paper ORDER: Space Station for Orbital Debris Recycling (albeit a scaled-up version), in addition to adding a few novel features that could benefit the mission and the people working aboard. The name Amoeba is a metaphor for the station, as the station can be seen as a singular, contiguous-membraned entity that maneuvers through space and swallows up nutrients and subsequently digests them.
Project Amoeba
Visit the Project Amoeba page to see a program of modules, more details, diagrams, and sketches.
