To address this, Kazunori Takahashi, a researcher at Tohoku University in Japan, has developed a bidirectional ion engine thruster that uses ion engine exhaust to push space junk out of orbit. This promising solution, highlighted by Space.com, aligns with a recent study published in Nature, which explore propulsion-based techniques for clearing space debris. In response to these growing concerns, scientists and engineers have proposed a variety of space junk removal strategies. How Takahashi’s Bidirectional Ion Engine WorksAt the heart of Takahashi’s space junk removal solution is an innovative bidirectional ion engine. While the technology is still in its experimental phase, it holds significant promise for the future of space junk removal.