European researchers are attempting to develop ways of using satellites to avoid space debris . Orbit perturbations – natural forces due to the gravity of the moon and the sun, atmospheric drag and solar radiation pressure – affect the long-term evolution of the orbit of celestial bodies, satellites and space debris and need to be counterbalanced by satellite orbit manoeuvres, which increases their fuel requirements. 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 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 .