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Raytheon system aims to track space trash

‘Fence’ would monitor orbiting debris

By Michael B. Farrell

 |  Globe Staff  

  April 30, 2012

Space has a litter problem. From an astronaut’s lost glove to parts of destroyed satellites, Earth’s orbit is filling up with garbage. It’s not just an aesthetics issue. Fast-moving space trash can wreck satellites and has threaten the International Space Station. Raytheon Corp., the Massachusetts military contractor, has a solution. It has been working on a space fence for the US Air Force to track some 200,000 pieces of debris so satellite operators, space crews, and future commercial space flights avoid crashing into trash.

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