European researchers are attempting to develop ways of using satellites to avoid space debris . The Compass project , which is funded by the European Research Council , aims to use natural orbit perturbations caused by the gravity of the moon and the sun , atmospheric drag and solar radiation pressure to get satellites to " surf " their way to re - entry . Whereas satellites currently counterbalance the impact of these forces , using up fuel in the process , the researchers believe they can overcome them instead .
European researchers are attempting to develop ways of enabling satellites to avoid space debris. The Compass project, which is funded by the European Research Council, aims to use natural orbit perturbations caused by the gravity of the moon and the sun, atmospheric drag and solar radiation pressure to get satellites to "surf" their way to re-entry. Whereas satellites currently counterbalance the impact of these forces, using up fuel in the process, the researchers believe they can exploit them instead.