Liverpool Researchers Propose €50M Cubesat Fleet to Map Near Earth Asteroids
Researchers in Liverpool have proposed a novel approach to map Near Earth Asteroids with a budget of just €50 million. The project, named REMORA, envisions an autonomous space fleet comprising cubesats designed to tag and track these celestial bodies. This initiative highlights a potential shift towards more affordable space exploration, contrasting with historically expensive projects like the International Space Station. The REMORA concept suggests that future space endeavors could operate on significantly smaller budgets, making them accessible to academic institutions rather than being exclusively government-led.
Researchers based in Liverpool have put forward a proposal for a cost-effective method to map Near Earth Asteroids. The project, dubbed REMORA, is estimated to cost €50 million and relies on an autonomous fleet of cubesats.
REMORA is designed to tag and track asteroids, offering a new model for space exploration. This approach represents a departure from the traditional paradigm of vastly expensive space projects, such as the International Space Station, which was one of the most costly undertakings in human history.
The proposed budget for REMORA is intended to be within the reach of academic institutions, suggesting a future where space projects are not solely limited to large governmental or corporate entities. This initiative aligns with a broader trend towards developing numerous space projects with significantly smaller budgets.
