Brown University engineering students have developed a satellite whose power source is conventional AA “finger” batteries. The main purpose of the satellite is to take a step towards solving the problem of space debris thanks to a form factor that allows it to easily get out of orbit. This is reported on the official website of the university.

The device is called SBUDNIC. It was developed in order to help solve the problem of clogging of near-Earth space with already inactive devices, remnants of launch vehicles and other space debris. The US Space Surveillance Network reports more than 27 thousand units of space debris in orbit.

The satellite is small in size. Its unique “sail”, which will help guide the movement of the satellite, was printed on a 3D printer. The satellite is powered by 48 Energizer-type AA batteries and a $20 microprocessor. The total cost of the project is 10 thousand dollars ridiculous for this area. SBUDNIC has already passed vacuum, thermal and vibration tests and traveled to space using Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket. It is expected to leave orbit in five years.

To recap, Rolls-Royce is working on a project to build a nuclear reactor on the moon.

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