Britain to accept more immigrants from HK
The British government says it will extend residency rights for people from Hong Kong and eventually enable them to acquire British citizenship.
The policy change targets Hong Kong citizens holding the British National Overseas passport, which was issued in Hong Kong until it was handed over to China in 1997. Such citizens could stay in Britain for six months.
The British government announced on Wednesday that those with a BNO passport will be allowed to live and work in the country for five years. After that, they will be allowed to apply for citizenship. Britain's Foreign Office says about 350,000 Hong Kong citizens currently hold such passports. But the figure could grow to 2.9 million if their families and others who are eligible are added.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in Parliament on Wednesday, "We will not look the other way when it comes to Hong Kong. We will not duck our historical responsibility to its people."
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200702_09/
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Company developing laser satellite to clear away space junk
A laser beam in outer space that sends orbiting debris to a fiery end in the Earth's atmosphere may soon be a reality. SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. said it is developing a satellite that can shoot down space junk ranging from old, abandoned satellites to rocket parts still orbiting the Earth.
The Tokyo-based satellite broadcaster is developing the technology jointly with the Riken research institute and other parties, according to a June 11 announcement.
It said they plan to clean up the increasing amount of debris orbiting the planet by pushing it into the Earth’s atmosphere, where it will then burn up. The team plans to start experimenting in 2024 to test the laser equipment and aims to have the satellite operational in 2026.
"Space debris poses a large-scale problem," said Tadanori Fukushima, head of the space remnant removal program. "I want to bring this socially significant project to fruition at any cost." The tiny satellite will weigh just several hundred kilograms, according to the announcement. Its laser will be used to melt the surface of the space junk.
That will cause the debris to emit gas, creating enough force to push it out of orbit and into the atmosphere. The low-output laser device cannot lift even a light 1-yen (1 cent) coin on Earth. But by pulsing the laserwhich is how cosmetic physicians use lasers to remove unwanted skin blemishesit can gradually set the space debris onto a path toward the atmosphere, according to project officials.
More than 100 million pieces of debris measuring 1 millimeter or larger are estimated to exist in orbit. Most of them travel at altitudes of 600 kilometers to 1,000 km, where satellites often traverse. Despite being bite-sized, that kind of debris flies at no less than 7.5 km per second and could severely damage or knock out satellites.
Debris-clearing orbiters to catch space junk with wires or nets are also being considered. But the company said it expects the laser device will handle space junk more safely, without making direct contact with debris. Also, no fuel would be required to shoot the targets down, leading to a lower cost.
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13465274