What is space debris?
Beginning in the 1950s, human space exploration projects have led to the sending of thousands of satellites into space, to the moon, and to other planets. Many satellites are still orbiting Earth. Up to date, parts that have been removed from satellites and spaceships are constantly orbiting Earth. This debris is called space debris or space junk. The size of this space debris varies from the size of satellites to the size of human nails. These fragments are very dangerous because they orbit Earth at very high speeds. The average speed of the debris is seven times that of a bullet. Therefore, even the smallest debris can lead to fatal accidents if it hits a satellite or a spacecraft. However, people are not satisfied with the present and are further preparing for higher-level space exploration, such as Mars exploration.
According to NASA’s announcement, more than 27,000 fragments are currently being tracked through network sensors. NASA argued that there are also many fragments that are not being tracked. In addition, NASA considers the threat of collision with space debris a major problem and insists it will be a major obstacle to future space activities (Garcia, 2021).
Where does it come from?
Space debris is typically made up of rocket projectiles or spacecraft parts used to enter Earth’s orbit, but it is also caused by several countries shooting down their own satellites with missiles. In fact, countries such as the United States, Russia, China, and India have created space debris in the process of destroying their satellites with missiles.
What are problems caused by space debris?
Human continuous space activities are increasing the amount of space debris. NASA, a space development agency, takes seriously the threat of a collision with space debris. Fortunately, the possibility of collisions with space debris and spacecraft or rockets fired from Earth is now low. However, there is a high risk of collisions with space debris and orbiting satellites or the International Space Stations. In fact, in 1996, a French satellite collided with space debris. Fortunately, it continued to work, despite the damage. In 2007, China conducted a test to shoot down its satellite with a missile. As a result, more than 3,500 large and small debris were created. In 2009, a Russian satellite that had stopped working crashed into an American satellite and shattered it. The crash added more than 2,300 debris to the space debris list. As such, collisions caused by space debris create other debris. Therefore, in the future, when the space probe enters orbit, the risk of collisions by space debris will be much higher. This phenomenon is called Kessler Syndrome. It refers to a phenomenon in which the amount of space debris orbiting Earth is increasing, potentially interfering with future space activities.
How to solve the problems with space debris
NASA has created guidelines for the International Space Station to deal with the risk of collisions with space debris, and its staff are familiar with the guidelines. Although it is important to make guidelines, efforts by space agencies around the world to reduce space debris are an important factor in solving the problem. According to NASA, the space debris in orbit below 600 kilometers will soon fall back to Earth, but the space debris in orbit above 1,000 kilometers will continue to orbit for a long time. Thus, the world’s aerospace development agencies are currently trying to find solutions to remove the long-lasting debris from space. Japan’s space agency Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the European Space Agency have signed a partnership agreement with companies working in the space industry to find ways to remove the debris. In addition, the United Kingdom conducted an experiment to remove space debris using nets and harpoons by launching satellites for space debris removal experiments. Finally, it is developing a suitable rocket projectile to reduce debris from launching space probes and satellites. In other words, technology is being developed to prevent rocket projectiles from remaining in orbit after completing their duties.
Conclusion
Human curiosity about the universe has always been constant from the past to the present. For this reason, even today, aerospace institutions, such as NASA, and private companies, such as Space X, are constantly developing technologies for space exploration. They are expected to continue to launch space probes and satellites in the future. The first step in the space exploration plan is always to enter Earth orbit safely. To make it possible, it seems urgent to remove the huge amount of space debris orbiting Earth.
References
Featured Image NASA image – https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/photo-gallery/
Mukherjee, S. (2021). Q+A What is space debris and how dangerous is it? Reuters. [online] 16 Nov. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/qa-what-is-space-debris-how-dangerous-is-it-2021-11-16/. [Accessed 24 July 2022].
O’Callaghan, J. (2019). What is Space Junk and why is it a problem? [online] Nhm.ac.uk. Available at: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem.html [Accessed 25 July 2022].
Garcia, M. (2021). Space Debris and Human Spacecraft. [online] NASA. Available at: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/orbital_debris.html [Accessed 23 July 2022].
Gregersen, E. (2019). space debris | Facts, Removal, & Research. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/technology/space-debris [Accessed 26 July 2022].
