Recently the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) reported that in orbit around the Earth there are now 34,000 pieces of space debris larger than 10 centimeters ( approximately 4 inches) and millions of smaller pieces.
The larger pieces of debris can range from the size of a spent rocket stage to smaller satellites which are no longer in use.
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These present a danger to astronauts in orbit in the International Space Station as well as to people on the ground should the larger pieces fall to Earth on populated areas.
One solution to this problem being worked on by JAXA involved using a laser to melt down small space debris and then force it into a lower orbit which would soon lead to its return to Earth, finally burning up in the Earth’s atmosphere upon re-entry.
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In this project, JAXA would be working with Sky Perfect JSAT and RIKEN Scientific Research Institute, leaders in the fields of physics and satellite communications.
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Development of the project was expected to take at least three years.
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After that, testing of the satellite in space would begin.
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Russian reports have also detailed the plans of another Japanese company, Astroscale, to use a satellite equipped with magnetic panels to attract space debris to it and then send it into a lower Earth orbit, from which it would re-enter and burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere.
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Russian sources compared this solution, which was about to be tested in 2021, with the JAXA, JSAT and RIKEN approach using a laser to burn space debris drifting in Earth orbit before sending it to its ultimate destruction upon re-entry.

Warning: these questons and answers are not all representative of the way questions will be asked and answered in the pilot, because some questions are compound and some answers do not include citations.

Q: How many pieces of “larger” space debris are circling the Earth?
A: 34,000 was the number given by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency

Q: By “larger” what size is indicated?
A: 10cm, approximately 4 inches, is considered “larger” by JAXA.

Q: To whom does space debris present a danger?
A: Space debris can endanger working satellites satellites, manned missions in Earth orbit, and populations on the ground when its re-entry is uncontrolled.

Q: What would a laser do in the Jaxa, JSAT, and RIKEN plan?
A: The laser would be used to melt small space debris.

Q: What would happen to the melted space debris?
A: It would be sent into a lower orbit, from which it would re-enter and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, like a shooting star.

Q: Was this design operational at the time of the information?
A: It was expected to take three years from the time of publication.

Q: Did JAXA have any other plans on the drawing board for removing space debris?
A: JAXA was planning with Astroscale, another Japanese aerospace company, to build a system for removing space debris.

Q: How was the JAXA Astroscale system supposed to work?
A: By using magnets, the Astroscale vehicle in orbit would attract space junk, attach it to itself, and then the debris into a lower orbit, from which it would burn up on re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.

Q: When was the Astroscale system going to be tested?
A: The first test was scheduled for 2021.