Space junk: Our skies are choking; we just can’t see it

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• March 9, 2022

Insight summary

Space junk, consisting of defunct satellites, rocket debris, and even items used by astronauts, is cluttering the low earth orbit (LEO). With at least 26,000 pieces the size of a softball and millions more of smaller sizes, this debris poses a serious threat to spacecraft and satellites. International space agencies and companies are taking action, exploring solutions like nets, harpoons, and magnets to mitigate this growing problem.

Space junk context

According to a NASA report, there are at least 26,000 pieces of space junk orbiting the Earth that are the size of a softball, 500,000 the size of a marble, and more than 100 million pieces of debris the size of a grain of salt. This orbiting cloud of space junk, composed of old satellites, defunct satellites, boosters, and debris from rocket explosions, poses a serious danger to spacecraft. Bigger pieces can destroy a satellite on impact, while smaller ones can cause significant damage and endanger astronauts' lives.

The debris is concentrated in the low earth orbit (LEO), 1,200 miles above Earth's surface. While some space junk eventually re-enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up, the process can take years, and space continues to fill with more debris. Collisions between space junk can create even more fragments, increasing the risk of further impacts. This phenomenon, known as "the Kessler syndrome," could make LEO so crowded that launching satellites and spacecraft safely becomes impossible.

Efforts to reduce space junk are underway, with NASA issuing guidelines in the 1990s and aerospace corporations working on smaller spacecraft to minimize debris. Companies like SpaceX are planning to launch satellites to lower orbits to decay faster, while others are developing innovative solutions to capture orbital debris. These measures are essential to preserving the accessibility and safety of space for future exploration and commercial activities.

Disruptive impact

International space agencies are actively working to reduce space junk, recognizing its potential to disrupt space exploration and commercial activities. NASA's guidelines to mitigate space debris have set a precedent, and aerospace corporations are now focusing on creating smaller spacecraft that would generate less debris. Collaboration between governments and private companies is driving innovation in this area.

SpaceX's plan to launch satellites to a lower orbit, allowing them to decay faster, is one example of how companies are addressing the issue. Other organizations are exploring fascinating solutions, such as nets, harpoons, and magnets, to ensnare orbital debris. Researchers at Tohoku University in Japan are even devising a method using particle beams to slow down debris, causing them to descend and burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

The challenge of space junk is not just a technical problem; it's a call for global cooperation and responsible stewardship of space. The solutions being developed are not merely about cleaning up; they represent a shift in how we approach space exploration, emphasizing sustainability and collaboration. The disruptive impact of space junk is a catalyst for innovation, driving the development of new technologies and international standards to ensure the continued safe use of space.

Implications of space junk

Wider implications of space junk may include:

• Opportunities for existing and future space companies to provide debris mitigation and removal services for government and private sector clients.
• Incentives for major spacefaring countries to collaborate on international standards and initiatives around space junk mitigation and removal.
• Increased focus on sustainability and responsible use of space, leading to the development of new technologies and practices.
• Potential limitations on future space exploration and commercial activities if space junk is not effectively managed.
• Economic implications for industries reliant on satellite technology, such as telecommunications and weather monitoring.
• Enhanced public awareness and engagement with space-related issues, fostering a broader understanding of space stewardship.
• The potential for legal and regulatory challenges as nations and companies navigate shared responsibility for space debris.
• The need for investment in research and development to create effective space junk mitigation solutions.

Questions to consider

• Do humans have an ethical obligation not to pollute space?
• Who should be responsible for removing space junk: governments or aerospace companies?