> simply bringing all the stuff together into identical orbits
This only works for orbits of similar inclination, unfortunately. Shifting orbital planes is prohibitively expensive in terms of energy due to the conservation of angular momentum [1] and the rocket equation.
We don't have to solve all of it, only a significant amount.
Also, perhaps the most important thing to solve is a proof of concept - that we can remove any space junk. From there we can start to compare and refine ideas to figure out what the possible solutions are.
This only works for orbits of similar inclination, unfortunately. Shifting orbital planes is prohibitively expensive in terms of energy due to the conservation of angular momentum [1] and the rocket equation.
It might work for similar-enough orbits, though.
[1] https://orbital-mechanics.space/orbital-maneuvers/plane-chan...