Researchers at Queen’s University are developing a new robotic system to service more than 8,000 satellites now orbiting the Earth, beyond the flight range of ground-based repair operations.

Currently, when the high-flying celestial objects malfunction – or simply run out of fuel – they become “space junk” cluttering the cosmos.

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Scientists hope to launch specialised space robots with the ability to think for themselves by 2020.

Currently all of the machines and rovers on Mars and around space are controlled by humans sending them instructions. Virtually everything is a command which must be given. This project, led by Wolfgang Fink, senior researcher, California Institute of Technology, aims to turn over a lot of the decision making to the robots. It would allow NASA to use their workforce more effectively, and speed up the process of researching space.

The robots could also reduce the necessity of humans in dangerous space missions that require on the spot reactions, and could ultimately eliminate the need for humans in space.

NASA plans to send a satellite weighing less than 10 pounds into space, with an ultra-thin, 100 square foot solar sail as its primary means of altitude control or orbital manoeuvring.

NanoSail-D is the result of a partnership between Marshall Space Flight Center, and Ames Research Center. NASA will send the satellite into space on-board a SpaceX Falcon 1 rocket, scheduled for launch from Omelek Island in the Pacific Ocean between July 29th and August 6th.

Talking about the NanoSail-D, Edward Montgomery, payload manager, said: “The structure is made of aluminium and space-age plastic. The whole spacecraft weighs less than 10 pounds. We carry it around in a special suitcase – airplane carry-on luggage size.”

Once in space, a Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer, developed at the University of California, will be used to deploy the sail. Fully opened, the kite-shaped sail spreads out about 100-square feet of light-catching surface.

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A model of a proposed European manned spaceship has gone on show at the Berlin Air Show.

The design, from EADS Astrium, is based on the unmanned “Jules Verne” freighter recently sent to the International Space Station.

Astrium says a crewed version of the truck is a logical evolution, and could fly in the next decade if it received support from European governments.

The idea is to combine the avionics and propulsion end of Jules Verne (also known as the Automated Transfer Vehicle - ATV) with a crew compartment taking the place of the current cargo section.

Source: BBC