I’ve long been a proponent of an idea to clear some of the detritus from the more desirable orbital paths, using what can be called “a big ball of goo”.
It is a fairly low tech satellite that once in orbit, extends a number of telescoping tubes in many directions. Attached to the ends of these tubes is a large tent. The result is a very large “tent-ball”, with the very tips of the tubes sticking out of it.
The satellite then sprays an inert gas into the tent, creating a mini atmosphere in the tent, that warms in sunlight. When the gas is warm, then the satellite fills the tent with high expansion polymer foam, that hardens into something like a tough and sticky Styrofoam.
Spraying gas through the tubes, they can be used as thrusters to change the path of the ball of goo, to collide with space junk, which will embed itself in the goo.
Eventually, with several tons stuck in it, it will use the last of its power to burn up in the atmosphere.
‘Several tons’? Eventually? Try thousands of years.
Also if it actually intersect a serious chunk of junk it could easily be blown to tiny chunks, goo or no goo. Orbital velocities are massive.