Cringely’s Earth Orbit Scow

Renowned technology writer RobertX. Cringely posts about space trash, recognizing it as an additional barrier to spaceward movement. Why leave this manmade hurdle in our path to the stars. He  proposes a vessel that has much in common with Kite.

For as a fictional platform our beloved Kite has much more potential for adventure, and it would seem that robotic sweepers are a natural. but if Earth-bound street sweepers still require crew, would it be wise to leave an expensive space utility vehicle unattended? Yes, life support adds significantly to cost  but it could be worth it to have a capable human on hand in pinch?

In any case it, Cringely’s is the closest to a proposed solution we’ve seen outside of a certain sci-fi novel. The tide against space junk had turned. The motion for Earth orbit debris sweepers has been moved and seconded. It has entered the culture.