Construct a small but elaborate capsule equipped with tools and manipulators for dismantling defunct satellites. Find universities willing to invest time and energy into figuring what worthwhile junked or soon to be junked satellites are up there. Competitions to "find" resources and then come up with proposals for how that solar panel, antenna, etc. could be used. The final goal would be the assembly of a functional satellite for a non-profit aid or humanitarian institution chosen by participants whose proposals were selected by the project board.
-- WcW, Feb 24 2008

Add a fuel scoop to harvest discarded hydrazine.
-- AbsintheWithoutLeave, Feb 24 2008


Admittedly fuel storage and supply are going to be key problems initially.
-- WcW, Feb 24 2008


Get it up there quick then! Free hydrazine for all!
-- AbsintheWithoutLeave, Feb 24 2008


First you need a working solar powered ion engine or solar sail. With that you could collect them all together. Then you'd have to hope that the pieces were assembled using standardized connectors. Sadly the whole experience with MIR proved that no one uses the same connectors. So remember to send up LOTS of adapters and duct tape.
-- MisterQED, Feb 24 2008


Lots and lots of solder. And a balloon propulsion system.
-- WcW, Feb 24 2008


Might be wise to rename the idea after Rube Goldberg.
-- Canuck, Feb 25 2008


Gotta riff the ballon theme.
-- WcW, Feb 26 2008



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