Greta Jimenez
Space junk, also known as space debris, is any piece of machinery or debris left by humans in space. Since the beginning of the space age in 1957, tons of rockets, spaceships, and satellites have been launched into space, and the issue of space junk has become more pressing. Space junk can refer to large objects such as inactive satellites or smaller objects like flecks of paint. This junk travels at more than 28,000 kilometres per hour, posing a risk to spacecraft and ongoing missions. While most debris burns up in the atmosphere, larger objects can reach the ground intact, and even contribute to air pollution. To address the issue of space junk, various solutions have been proposed, including international agreements, orbital-use fees, and technological fixes such as capturing or deorbiting old satellites.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Space junk/debris/waste | Defunct human-made objects in space, including derelict spacecraft, mission-related debris, and fragments from rocket bodies, spacecraft, disintegration, erosion, collisions, and paint flecks |
| Impact | Direct negative impact on the environment, release of chemicals into the atmosphere, contribution to ozone layer depletion, increased collision risk, impact on future launches, and air pollution when burning up in the atmosphere |
| Monitoring | Radar and optical detectors such as lidar are used to track space debris, but most debris remains unobserved |
| Guidelines and regulations | United Nations guidelines for long-term sustainability of outer space are voluntary, but include urging states to implement space debris mitigation measures and develop end-of-life plans for space objects |
| Removal methods | Dragging dead satellites back into the atmosphere to burn up, using harpoons, nets, magnets, or lasers to remove them, passivation of spacecraft, using upper stages to decelerate and deorbit, and charging operators "orbital-use fees" to incentivize responsible satellite usage |
| Locations | Point Nemo in the South Pacific Ocean is a spacecraft cemetery, with over 200 retired space objects deliberately brought back to Earth |
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What You'll Learn
Remove dead satellites from orbit
Space junk, or space debris, refers to defunct human-made objects in space that no longer serve a useful function. This includes dead satellites, which have either failed or been left in orbit after their mission ends. There are currently about 3,000 dead satellites in orbit, posing a significant risk to active satellites and space missions. To address this issue, several methods have been proposed and tested to remove dead satellites from orbit:
United Nations Guidelines: The United Nations has voluntary guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space, which include urging states to implement space debris mitigation measures and develop end-of-life plans for space objects. While these guidelines are not mandatory, they provide a framework for countries to follow and promote the sustainable use of space.
Deorbiting Techniques: One approach to removing dead satellites is to deorbit them, bringing them back into the Earth's atmosphere where they will burn up. This can be achieved by using the satellite's remaining fuel to slow it down and fall out of orbit, or by using upper stages that can reignite to decelerate and deorbit the satellite. Another method is to use a service craft, such as the ELSA-d mission, which can capture and safely remove space debris from orbit using magnetic retrieval.
Graveyard Orbits: For satellites in higher orbits, they can be sent even farther away from Earth into what is known as a "graveyard orbit." This orbit is located about 200 miles farther than the farthest active satellites, ensuring that any potential collisions or debris do not interfere with active satellites.
Physical Removal: In some cases, dead satellites can be physically removed from orbit using various techniques. This includes using a harpoon to grab the satellite, capturing it in a large net, or even using lasers to heat up the satellite and increase its atmospheric drag so that it falls out of orbit.
Spacecraft Cemetery: The spacecraft cemetery is a designated area in the South Pacific Ocean, about 2,700 km from any land, where more than 200 retired space objects have been deliberately brought back to Earth to rest in the ocean depths. This ensures that any debris falls into a remote area away from human civilization.
The removal of dead satellites from orbit is a complex and ongoing process, with multiple approaches being explored to address the issue of space pollution and mitigate the risks posed by these objects to active satellites and space missions.
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Reduce collision risk
Space debris, or space junk, poses a significant risk of collision with active satellites, spacecraft, and other functional objects in space. This junk travels at more than 28,000 kilometres per hour, making it extremely dangerous to any operational spacecraft or satellites in its path.
To reduce the risk of collisions, several measures can be implemented. Firstly, it is crucial to improve the monitoring and mitigation strategies for manoeuvring spacecraft. By enhancing preventative measures and movements, the likelihood of active spacecraft being struck by space debris can be significantly reduced. This includes implementing collision avoidance manoeuvres, such as those performed by the International Space Station (ISS) to prevent damage from space junk.
In addition to improved monitoring, the implementation of orbital-use fees has been proposed as an effective solution. This involves charging operators a fee for each satellite they put into orbit, with the amount calculated to reflect the cost to the industry of the additional collision risk and space debris production. Such a fee would incentivise operators to consider the long-term value of their satellites and reduce the overall risk of collisions. According to economist Matthew Burgess, an annual fee of approximately $235,000 per satellite is predicted to quadruple the value of the satellite industry by 2040, demonstrating the economic benefits of reducing collision risks.
Another approach to reducing collision risks is to focus on the removal of existing space debris. Several companies have proposed innovative solutions for removing dead satellites and other debris from orbit. These methods include using harpoons, nets, magnets, or even lasers to capture or deorbit the objects. By actively removing space junk, the risk of collisions can be mitigated, improving the safety of future space missions and reducing potential damage to active satellites.
Furthermore, to minimise the creation of new space debris, it is essential to address the issue at its source. This involves implementing guidelines and regulations for launching objects into space. The United Nations has already established voluntary guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space, encouraging states to adopt space debris mitigation measures and develop end-of-life plans for space objects. By adhering to such guidelines and considering the potential impact on space pollution, the risk of collisions can be significantly reduced.
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Implement orbital-use fees
Space junk, or space debris, is any piece of machinery or human-made debris left in space. This includes dead satellites, bits of debris or paint flecks that have fallen off a rocket, and even human-made junk that has been left on the Moon. There are currently about 2,000 active satellites orbiting Earth, with 3,000 dead ones also in orbit. There are also around 34,000 pieces of space junk bigger than 10 centimetres and millions of smaller pieces that could prove disastrous if they hit something else.
The issue of space junk is becoming more pressing as the number of satellites in orbit increases. The space industry has grown rapidly, with more than 80 countries having operated satellites and a record number of successful orbital launches in 2021. This has resulted in a growing buildup of space debris, which poses a costly collision risk to satellite operators.
One proposed solution to the problem of space junk is the implementation of orbital-use fees (OUFs). OUFs are internationally agreed-upon fees that would be charged to satellite operators for every satellite put into orbit. The fees would increase over time to account for the rising value of cleaner orbits. It is estimated that an annual fee of around $235,000 per satellite could quadruple the value of the satellite industry by 2040.
The benefits of OUFs include reducing future satellite and debris collision risk, as well as increasing the long-run value of the space industry. OUFs would force operators to weigh the expected lifetime value of their satellites against the cost of putting another satellite into orbit and creating additional risk. Additionally, OUFs could incentivise the development and implementation of active debris removal (ADR) through schemes such as tax credits for the removal of debris objects.
However, there are also challenges to implementing OUFs. The international and geopolitically complex nature of the space sector makes it difficult to establish a standardised pricing system. Negotiations between countries would be required to determine the magnitude of the fee and how it would be collected and spent. Despite these challenges, the implementation of OUFs could provide a potential solution to the growing problem of space junk and help to increase the value and sustainability of the space industry.
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Improve monitoring and mitigation strategies
Space debris, or space junk, is a growing problem. It includes inactive satellites, rocket fragments, and various smaller objects, such as flecks of paint. These objects can reach extremely high speeds, turning them into dangerous projectiles. While most debris burns up in the atmosphere, larger objects can reach the ground intact.
To improve monitoring and mitigation strategies, several approaches can be taken:
Firstly, it is essential to enhance the accuracy and coverage of space debris tracking systems. Radar and optical detectors, such as lidar, are commonly used to track larger pieces of debris. However, advancements in technology are needed to effectively monitor smaller debris, as objects under 10 cm in size are challenging to track and can still cause significant damage. Improving tracking capabilities will enable better collision avoidance manoeuvres, which are routinely performed by satellites and the International Space Station (ISS) to prevent damage.
Secondly, implementing predictive modelling and advanced data analytics can help forecast the movement of space debris more accurately. By feeding data on the current location, speed, and trajectory of debris into sophisticated algorithms, it may be possible to predict potential collisions and take evasive action. This proactive approach could significantly reduce the risk of collisions and the subsequent creation of additional debris.
Thirdly, establishing international cooperation and standardized protocols for space debris management is vital. The United Nations has already taken steps in this direction with its guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, but these guidelines are voluntary. Enforceable regulations and agreements among space-faring nations are necessary to ensure responsible space exploration and the mitigation of space debris.
Finally, addressing the issue at its source is crucial. Space agencies and private companies launching satellites and other spacecraft should be incentivized to incorporate end-of-life strategies for their spacecraft. This could include designing satellites with the capability to deorbit themselves at the end of their useful lives, either by decelerating or by reigniting upper stages to intentionally deorbit. Additionally, imposing orbital-use fees on satellite operators, as suggested by economists, could provide a financial incentive to reduce the number of satellites in orbit and, consequently, the risk of collisions.
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Develop an end-of-life plan for space objects
Space debris, or space junk, is a growing concern. It is a threat to the space environment and can cause serious incidents. The threat will only increase as more satellites are launched into orbit. The majority of space debris is the result of human activity, and it can refer to anything from dead satellites to bits of debris or paint flecks that have fallen off a rocket.
The United Nations has issued voluntary guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space, which include urging states to develop an end-of-life plan for space objects. The European Space Agency (ESA) has also published space debris mitigation guidelines, which aim to reduce the growth of space debris by ensuring that space systems are designed, operated, and disposed of in a sustainable manner.
The procedure for end-of-life disposal of satellites will depend on the orbital regime. In Low Earth Orbit (LEO), satellites should re-enter the Earth's atmosphere within 25 years, according to the Inter Agency Space Debris Co-ordination Committee (IADC) Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines. In Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), satellites are re-orbited to ensure they do not return to the protected zone within 100 years.
There are several technical approaches to the mitigation of space debris growth. One method is to launch satellites into elliptical orbits with perigees inside the Earth's atmosphere, so the orbit will decay and the satellite will burn up upon re-entry. This is often done for satellites in LEO. For spacecraft in higher orbits, passivation of the spacecraft at the end of its life is one method, as well as using upper stages that can reignite to decelerate and deorbit the spacecraft.
The disposal of satellites is a complex and costly process, but it is critical to avoid adding to the growing problem of space debris. Satellite operators must follow the correct end-of-life procedures to ensure their satellites do not remain in orbit and pose a threat to other operating satellites. The consequences of not properly disposing of satellites can be severe, including the potential for collisions that could generate even more space debris.
To address the problem of space debris, a variety of solutions will be needed. Astroscale, for example, is working on an End-of-Life (EOL) Servicing solution, which involves a fleet of robotic servicers that can actively de-orbit nearby satellites at the end of their lives.
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Frequently asked questions
Space pollution, also known as space junk, space debris, space waste, space trash, space garbage, or cosmic debris, refers to defunct human-made objects in space that no longer serve a useful function. This includes derelict spacecraft, mission-related debris, and fragmentation debris from the breakup of derelict rocket bodies and spacecraft.
Space pollution has several negative impacts on both scientific exploration and the environment. It can hinder future space launches, increase the risk of collisions with active satellites, and release various chemicals into the atmosphere, contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer. Additionally, space pollution can impact terrestrial telecommunications and endanger ongoing missions.
Controlling space pollution requires a multi-faceted approach. The United Nations has voluntary guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space, which include encouraging countries to implement space debris mitigation measures and develop end-of-life plans for space objects. Some suggested technical solutions include removing dead satellites from orbit using methods such as harpoons, nets, magnets, or lasers to increase atmospheric drag. Economists have also proposed implementing orbital-use fees for satellite operators to account for the cost of collision risks and space debris production.
