Kiera Jefferson
Space debris, also known as space junk, refers to defunct human-made objects in space that no longer serve a useful function. These include derelict spacecraft, mission-related debris, and fragments from rocket bodies and spacecraft collisions. Since the beginning of the space age in the 1950s, thousands of rockets and satellites have been launched into space, many of which are still in orbit. This accumulation of space debris poses navigational hazards and environmental concerns, endangering missions and terrestrial telecommunications. With the increasing frequency of space activities, the risk of collisions and the impact on Earth's atmosphere and environmental health are also heightened. Addressing space debris is a pressing issue that requires international cooperation and the implementation of sustainable practices to mitigate its effects and preserve space for future generations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Defunct human-made objects in space that no longer serve a useful function |
| Other Names | Space junk, space pollution, space waste, space trash, space garbage, or cosmic debris |
| Examples | Derelict spacecraft, abandoned launch vehicle stages, mission-related debris, fragmentation debris, solidified liquids expelled from spacecraft, unburned particles from solid rocket motors, paint flecks |
| Causes | Disintegration, erosion, collisions, anti-satellite tests, combustion, spacecraft thruster emissions |
| Effects | Risk of collision, air pollution, global warming, ozone layer depletion |
| Orbital Altitude | Low-Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO) are the most commonly polluted orbits |
| Amount | 8,000 metric tons of debris in orbit as of 2020, expected to increase |
| Tracked Objects | 35,150 tracked objects in orbit, with only 25% being working satellites |
| Untracked Objects | Approximately 130 million pieces of debris are too small to be tracked |
| Removal Technology | Active Debris Removal (ADR) technology is being tested but is not yet fully developed |
| Regulations | UN Space Treaty (1967), Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused By Space Objects (1972), ISO 24113:2019, NASA orbital debris mitigation guidelines (1995) |
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What You'll Learn
The sources and composition of space debris
Space debris, also known as space junk, space pollution, space waste, space trash, space garbage, or cosmic debris, refers to defunct human-made objects in space, principally in Earth orbit, that no longer serve a useful function. These objects include derelict spacecraft (nonfunctional spacecraft and abandoned launch vehicle stages), mission-related debris, and fragmentation debris from the breakup of derelict rocket bodies and spacecraft.
The sources of space debris can be attributed to several factors, including:
- Deliberate destruction of spacecraft: For example, the Chinese Fengyun-1C spacecraft was deliberately destroyed in 2007, contributing to the large amount of debris in LEO.
- Accidental collisions: An accidental collision between an American and a Russian spacecraft in 2009 increased the amount of debris in LEO by approximately 70%.
- Anti-satellite weapons (ASATs) testing: Testing by the U.S. and Soviet Union during the 1960s and 1970s contributed to space debris.
- Explosions from leftover liquids and gases: Old rocket bodies and satellite batteries may contain leftover liquids and gases that can cause explosions and breakups in space, leading to the creation of more debris.
- Natural atmospheric effects: Solar maximum and minimum periods can impact the rate at which objects drop out of orbit, with more objects dropping out during solar maximum due to the heating and expansion of the Earth's atmosphere.
The composition of space debris varies, with larger objects including:
- Derelict spacecraft: These are nonfunctional spacecraft and abandoned launch vehicle stages that are no longer operational.
- Rocket bodies: Fragments from the breakup of rocket bodies can remain in orbit and contribute to space debris.
Smaller objects within the space debris include:
- Paint flecks: Tiny flecks of paint from spacecraft can become space debris and cause damage to other spacecraft.
- Solid rocket exhaust particles: Unburned particles from solid rocket motors can be propelled at high speeds and pose a hazard to spacecraft.
- Micrometeoroids: When grouped with the smallest objects of artificial space debris, they are referred to as MMOD (Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris).
- Frozen coolant: Frozen coolant from Soviet nuclear-powered satellites can become space debris.
- Solidified liquids: Liquids expelled from spacecraft can solidify and become debris, posing a risk to other spacecraft.
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The risks and impact of space debris
Since the 1950s, humans have launched thousands of rockets and satellites into orbit. Many of these objects, such as dead satellites, are still orbiting the Earth, along with smaller bits of debris, such as paint flecks. This space debris, or space junk, poses a risk to active satellites and spacecraft.
The biggest danger of space debris is to other satellites in orbit. Satellites have to move out of the way of incoming space debris to avoid getting hit and potentially damaged or destroyed. Hundreds of collision avoidance manoeuvres are performed every year, including by the International Space Station (ISS).
The average impact speed of collisions in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is 10 km/s, with maximums reaching above 14 km/s. The relative speed of impact between two satellites that collided in 2009 was about 11.7 km/s (7.3 mi/s), or about 42,120 km/h (26,170 mph). This collision created over 2,000 large debris fragments, increasing the risk of further collisions.
It has been theorised that a sufficiently large collision of spacecraft could lead to a cascade effect, where more and more objects collide and create new space junk, rendering LEO unusable for orbiting satellites. This is known as the Kessler syndrome. While this situation is considered extreme, some experts worry that it could become a problem in the future.
Space debris also poses a risk to people and property on Earth. While most debris burns up in the atmosphere, larger objects can reach the ground intact. According to NASA, an average of one catalogued piece of debris has fallen back to Earth each day for the past 50 years. Despite their size, these objects have not caused any significant property damage. However, burning up in the atmosphere contributes to air pollution.
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The responsibility for space debris
Space debris is a growing concern for the space industry and the planet as a whole. It encompasses all human-generated objects in space that have no further useful function, including non-functional spacecraft, abandoned launch vehicle stages, and fragmentation debris. The responsibility for this debris and its potential hazards falls on the global space industry and the nations that facilitate and regulate space activities.
The space debris issue is a global problem that requires a collective effort to address. While individual spacefaring nations and companies have a duty of care, the international community must also work together to mitigate the risks and develop sustainable practices. National and international space agencies, as well as space industry associations, play a pivotal role in establishing guidelines, regulations, and best practices to minimize space debris. These entities work to promote responsible space behavior and often provide technical and financial support for space debris research and mitigation measures.
National and international legislation and agreements form the framework for space debris responsibility. Treaties such as the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and the Liability Convention of 1972 establish key principles, including the obligation of states to authorize and supervise the activities of their national entities in space and their liability for any damage caused by their space objects. Additionally, the UN Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines offer a widely accepted set of practices to reduce space debris generation, such as passivation of spacecraft and post-mission disposal.
Spacefaring nations have a direct responsibility for regulating and overseeing the activities of their respective space sectors. This includes licensing and supervising launches, ensuring compliance with space debris mitigation guidelines, and promoting sustainable space practices. National space agencies also often take on the role of coordinating space surveillance and tracking activities to monitor and catalog space objects, including debris. Furthermore, these agencies may lead efforts to remove large pieces of space debris and mitigate collision risks.
The onus of implementing space debris mitigation measures falls on the space industry, including satellite operators, launch service providers, and spacecraft manufacturers. Adhering to space debris guidelines and regulations is essential, and companies must integrate mitigation strategies into their spacecraft designs and mission profiles. This includes considering design features that minimize the creation of debris, such as using materials that withstand the space environment and incorporating end-of-life disposal mechanisms. The industry must also embrace innovative solutions, such as active debris removal services and space traffic management systems, to contribute to a sustainable space environment.
Finally, the scientific community plays a vital role in researching and understanding the space debris environment, its risks, and potential mitigation strategies. Researchers and academics contribute to the development of more accurate debris modeling, collision risk assessment, and space situational awareness capabilities. Their work informs policy decisions, regulatory frameworks, and on-orbit practices to reduce space debris and ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities.
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The challenges of space debris removal
Space debris, or space junk, refers to defunct human-made objects in space, principally in Earth orbit, that no longer serve a useful function. This includes derelict spacecraft, mission-related debris, and fragmentation debris from the breakup of rocket bodies and collisions. As of 2020, there were 8,000 metric tons of debris in orbit, with 85% pollution in low Earth orbit (LEO). The challenges of removing this space debris are multifaceted and complex.
Firstly, there is a lack of international space laws and comprehensive legal regimes governing space debris removal. While the Outer Space Treaty (OST) assigns ownership of spacecraft and debris to the registering state, it does not provide a clear definition of debris or a roadmap for legal issues. In addition, curbing excessive debris and conducting international debris remediation missions involve political and jurisdictional challenges, especially with mistrust between great powers.
Secondly, the detection, tracking, and characterisation of small space debris pose significant technological challenges. Current methods, including radar systems, optical telescopes, and data fusion algorithms, are limited in their ability to detect smaller objects. This is crucial because even small pieces of debris can cause catastrophic damage if they collide with active satellites or spacecraft.
Thirdly, the cost and time involved in space debris removal are considerable. While NASA's models indicate that removing small, non-trackable debris can have immediate benefits and quick cost recovery, the sheer volume of debris in LEO makes this a daunting task. Active debris removal technologies, such as vehicles with claws, tethers, or nets, or the use of lasers to "nudge" debris out of orbit, are still in their early stages of development.
Finally, there is a lack of commercial incentive to address space debris removal. Similar to the challenges faced in terrestrial pollution reduction, the costs are not typically assigned to the polluters, and there is no clear client or market for debris removal services. However, it is important to note that the benefits of removing space debris, particularly in reducing collision risks and ensuring the sustainability of orbital space, far outweigh the costs.
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The future of space exploration and debris
Space debris, also known as space junk, refers to defunct human-made objects in space, principally in Earth orbit, that no longer serve a useful function. These include derelict spacecraft, mission-related debris, and fragmentation debris from the breakup of rocket bodies and spacecraft. The issue of space debris has become increasingly prominent since the dawn of the space age in the 1950s, with thousands of rockets and satellites launched into orbit, many of which are still present.
The future of space exploration is closely tied to the challenge of addressing space debris. The ever-growing amount of space debris poses significant risks to spacecraft and astronauts, threatening the safety of both current and future space endeavours. The lack of comprehensive legal frameworks or international space laws to address this issue exacerbates the problem. While some guidelines exist, such as those from the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), the absence of clear ownership and authority over defunct satellites hinders effective removal and mitigation efforts.
To mitigate the impact of space debris on future space exploration, several strategies have been proposed and tested. One approach is to focus on preventing the excessive creation of artificial space debris. This includes implementing measures such as launching satellites into elliptical orbits to facilitate quick decay and destruction upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. Additionally, techniques like passivation of spacecraft at the end of their useful life and the use of reignitable upper stages to decelerate and deorbit them are employed.
Various companies and space agencies are actively working on technologies for removing existing space debris. Astroscale, a Japanese space-sustainability company, has developed a patented system for removing multiple large space debris objects simultaneously in a cost-effective and agile manner. Their method involves a single servicing spacecraft docking with multiple debris objects and transferring them to a separate vehicle for controlled re-entry. Other techniques, such as space nets, mechanical tentacles, and harpoons, have also been explored by agencies like JAXA and the European Space Agency.
While the removal of space debris is challenging and expensive, it is crucial to ensure the safety and sustainability of future space exploration. International cooperation and dialogue among stakeholders are essential to addressing this global problem. The development and implementation of effective debris removal technologies, in conjunction with responsible space practices, will play a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of space debris on future space endeavours.
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Frequently asked questions
Space debris, also known as space junk, space pollution, space waste, space trash, space garbage, or cosmic debris, is any piece of machinery or human-made object in space that no longer serves a useful function. This includes derelict spacecraft, mission-related debris, and fragments from rocket bodies and spacecraft.
Space debris is considered pollution because it endangers future space missions, terrestrial communications, and the broader environment. It also poses a risk to spacecraft, satellites, and astronauts involved in scientific and commercial activities.
As of 2020, there were an estimated 8,000 metric tons of space debris in orbit, with 85% pollution in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO). There are also hundreds of inactive satellites and thousands of fragments from rocket launches.
Several technical approaches to mitigate the growth of space debris have been proposed and implemented. NASA's Orbital Debris Program, which began in 1979, aims to create less orbital debris and design equipment to track and remove existing debris. The International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) also advocates for robust space debris mitigation guidelines and the responsible disposal of spacecraft.
