PARIS — A spacecraft designed to collect space garbage has arrived at the International Space Station. <br /><br />The RemoveDebris satellite was launched into space on April 2 aboard a SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, according to Tech Times. It was developed by several companies in conjunction with the European Space Agency.<br />The satellite weighs 100 kilograms and comes equipped with a 30 centimeter long 'harpoon' that can be shot towards space debris in order push it away from functioning satellites. <br /><br />It also has a net that can be launched towards objects. After wrapping around the debris, the net can be cut loose to burn while reentering the Earth's atmosphere. <br /><br />After being deployed from the ISS, the satellite will conduct preliminary tests attempting to capture cubesats acting as space junk. <br />Tests will also be carried out on the spacecraft's ability to use its laser navigation technology to track space fragments that are spinning out of control. <br /><br />Researchers are expected to start testing the spacecraft within the next few weeks.
