It’s time to clean up space junk before orbits become ‘unusable,’ according to new ESA report
A recent report by the European Space Agency highlights the urgent need for cleaning up space debris to prevent orbits around Earth from becoming unusable. This review warns that if left unchecked, the escalating issue of space pollution could lead to catastrophic collisions, known as “Kessler syndrome.” In short, we’re in a bit of a pickle up there, and ignoring it isn’t an option!
Key Points
- The ESA report reveals that there are over 1.2 million pieces of space debris larger than 1 cm, with over 50,000 larger than 10 cm.
- Current cleanup standards aren’t enough to mitigate the chances of collisions, which could lead to more debris and, hence, more collisions.
- Spacecraft need to be designed for disposal within five years after their mission ends, a significant cut from the previous recommendation of 25 years.
- The ESA’s ClearSpace-1 mission, set to launch in 2028, aims to actively remove space debris by capturing defunct satellites.
- The increase in small spacecraft and number of launches is exacerbating the debris issue already faced in low Earth orbit.
Why should I read this?
This article cuts right to the chase of why space junk matters—and trust us, it really does! If you care about the future of space exploration and technology, you’ll want to pay attention to these findings. Spoiler alert: our space environment needs some serious TLC, and understanding the urgency could lead to vital changes in how we handle space operations. We’ve saved you the hassle of finding this info out for yourself—you’re welcome!
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