How to clean up space debris using common sense - and some SpaceX hardware... oh ya, and AI

Summary: STOMP & Cutie LEO Cleanup Initiative

Proposal by Dutch Huette with GROK reviews, input and changes.

Concept Overview

The Silly Putty Omni Directional Micro Thrusters (STOMP) and AI Thruster Cleaner Upper (Cutie) system is a dual-pronged approach to tackle the growing space junk problem in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), leveraging SpaceX’s hardware and xAI’s advanced Ground AI (GAI). The mission prioritizes clearing debris from LEO—especially a launch corridor above Starbase, Texas—to enable anytime launches for SpaceX, while reducing collision risks for satellites like Starlink. STOMPs handle small debris, while Cuties manage medium-to-large junk, all coordinated by GAI for precision and efficiency.

Key Components

1. STOMP (Silly Putty Omni Directional Micro Thrusters)

◦ Design: A compact, spherical device studded with micro-thrusters and fitted with "feet" tipped with Silly Putty, proven in space since Apollo 8 (1968) for its flexibility and stickiness in a vacuum.

◦ Function: Launched from a Cutie, STOMPs navigate to small debris (e.g., bolts, fragments <10 cm), stick via Silly Putty, and use cold-gas micro-thrusters to apply delta-V for deorbiting into Earth’s atmosphere.

◦ Propellant: Nitrogen or xenon cold-gas—Proven

2. Cutie (AI Thruster Cleaner Upper)

◦ Design: A Starlink-sized satellite with directional thrusters (inspired by Merlin engines) and a telescopic arm for precision nudging. Carries STOMPs for deployment and uses onboard AI linked to GAI.

◦ Function: Approaches medium-to-large junk (e.g., dead satellites, rocket stages), deploys STOMPs for small bits, and uses ion thrusters (e.g., xenon-based) to nudge larger targets into controlled re-entry orbits. Telescopic arms extend up to 1 meter for fine adjustments.

◦ Propellant Refueling: Xenon ion propulsion—high efficiency, proven in sats like Starlink, and scalable with refueling capability.

3. Ground AI (GAI)

◦ Role: The brains of the operation, built on xAI’s next-gen tech. Tracks all LEO objects, calculates optimal deorbit trajectories, prioritizes targets (starting with Starbase corridor risks), and syncs hundreds of Cuties and STOMPs in real time.

◦ Advantage: Ensures collision-free paths, optimizes fuel use, and adapts to dynamic orbital conditions.

4. Refueling Pods

◦ Design: Tesla-car-sized orbital stations stocked with xenon and cold-gas propellant, launched via Falcon 9.

◦ Function: Cuties dock to refuel, extending mission life for years. GAI manages pod deployment and rendezvous logistics.

All the technology needed is in-house. Using Starlink sats framework, communications systems, propulsion, we only need to add more thrusters and some guidance/target analysis hardware. Think, Rockwell Collins fighter jet targeting systems to target and process exact axis of each object. The Ground AI is X AI (Memphis?) coordinating each approach and plan.

Mission Focus: LEO Cleanup & Starbase Corridor

• Primary Goal: Clear LEO of debris, starting with a 100-km-wide launch corridor above Starbase. This gives SpaceX an “anytime go” launch window, boosting their competitive edge.

• Execution:

◦ GAI maps LEO junk (thousands of objects, from cm-sized bits to multi-ton hulks), prioritizing threats to Starbase’s trajectory.

◦ Cuties deploy STOMPs for small debris (delta-V ~10-50 m/s for re-entry).

◦ For larger targets, Cuties use ion thrusters, with multiple units coordinating for heavy junk (e.g., 2-6 Cuties per rocket body).

◦ Debris is nudged into controlled re-entry orbits, burning up in 30-90 days.

• Secondary Option: High-value or high-orbit junk could be pushed to disposal orbits (e.g., graveyard or solar), but LEO re-entry is the fuel-efficient default.

Advantages

• SpaceX Synergy: Built on Starlink production lines and Falcon 9 launches—fast, scalable, and cost-effective.

• GAI Precision: AI-driven targeting and trajectory planning minimize fuel waste and collision risks.

• Simplicity: STOMPs and Cuties sidestep complex grappling systems; Silly Putty and ion thrusts are low-tech/high-impact.

• Starbase Edge: A clear corridor supercharges SpaceX’s launch cadence, potentially saving millions in scheduling delays.

Challenges Addressed

• Propellant Swap: Xenon replaces SF₆ for efficiency (higher exhaust velocity, less dispersion loss) and avoids greenhouse gas backlash. Cold-gas STOMPs keep small ops simple.

• Scale: Hundreds of Cuties and dozens of pods are feasible with SpaceX’s mass-production chops, though initial costs could hit billions—offset by long-term orbital safety.

• Control: GAI’s real-time coordination handles tumbling junk and multi-Cutie sync, reducing ops complexity.

• Proof of Concept: Start small—launch one Cutie with STOMPs on a rideshare, test on a known debris target, and scale from there.

Next Steps

• Prototype: Build a single Cutie with 10 STOMPs, test on a Falcon 9 rideshare in 2026.

• Starbase Pilot: Clear a 100-km corridor in 6-12 months, targeting 50-100 objects, and measure launch window gains.