LONDON — A UK-based space company is planning to launch satellite-servicing drones by 2020, but experts warn these could double as space weapons.<br /><br />The BBC reports that the Space Drone is an 800-pound spacecraft that can dock onto ageing satellites running low on fuel, and helping to stabilize and maneuver them.<br /><br />The drones remain attached for up to five years, before then moving the satellite to a graveyard orbit at the end of its life.<br /><br />Experts believe the space drones can be used to clean up Earth's orbit by directing space debris to the atmosphere to burn up.<br /><br />Theoretically, the drones could also be weaponized and used to hijack active satellites and push them out of orbit.<br /><br />The company that makes the space drones says any technology has the potential to be abused, and claims they can prevent this by retaining control and simply offering their services.
