Exploring space has led to cluttering Earth’s orbit with over 16,000 satellites since 1957, resulting in 36,500 pieces of debris larger than 10 cm. This poses a significant threat to space safety. Chris Hadfield, a retired astronaut, highlighted this issue at the STARMUS festival in Bratislava. He emphasized the importance of addressing space debris and exploring potential solutions.
Space junk accumulation began with the launch of Sputnik in 1957, leading to debris from defunct satellites and collisions. Anti-satellite weapons further contribute to the problem by breaking satellites into thousands of fragments. This poses a danger to space infrastructure like the ISS. SpaceX reported numerous collision-avoidance maneuvers for its satellites.
To mitigate space junk, efforts include cleaning up large debris with initiatives like Astroscale using grabbers or harpoons. Laser technology is being explored to vaporize smaller debris. Responsible structures and regulations are needed to address this growing issue. A shift towards more responsible space management is crucial to ensure space sustainability.
By implementing coordinated efforts and innovative solutions, we can safeguard space and prevent catastrophic collisions in orbit.
Author: Araks Kasyan
Photo Credit: Max Alexander/Starmus