Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), in collaboration with Japanese fishing net company Nitto Seimo, will collect space debris using nets to reduce damage to space shuttles and satellites.

It is estimated that there are 370,000 pieces of space junk which, upon collision with satellites, could destroy the communication network on Earth.

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A satellite will be attached to a thin metal net spanning many kilometers and launched into space before being detached to collect debris while it orbits the earth.

While it collects the debris, the net will become charged with electricity and will be drawn back towards the Earth using magnetic fields before entering the atmosphere.

The net will need to remain in orbit for weeks to collect enough rubbish to make the trip financially viable.

The nets consist of three layered metal threads, each measuring 1mm diameter and intertwined with fibres as thin as human hair, according to the Daily Telegraph.

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