A Chinese space mining start-up launched into low Earth orbit on Tuesday a robot prototype that can scoop up debris left behind by other spacecraft with a big net. The 30kg robot developed by Shenzhen-based Origin Space will pave the way for future technologies capable of mining on asteroids, according to the company. Also Read | Traffic cops of space: This Canadian company is addressing the issue of space debrisUnlike Astroscale's technology, which uses magnets to gather up space junk, NEO-01 will use a net to capture debris and then burn it with its electric propulsion system, according to a report on the company's website. Also Read | Removing space junk using Artificial IntelligenceXinhua reported on Saturday that China was stepping up efforts to land a probe on a near-Earth asteroid to collect samples, and also expediting a plan to build a defence system against near-Earth asteroids. Beijing has grand space ambitions, aiming to catch up with Russia and the United States and transform China into a major space power by 2030.

Source: The Hindu April 27, 2021 12:30 UTC