Space exploration has fascinated humanity for centuries, and with recent advances in technology, we have been able to launch a plethora of satellites, probes and manned missions into space. However, due to our rapid but uncoordinated and unregulated approach to space faring missions, one significant challenge has arisen: space debris. Space debris (or junk) refers to the numerous objects that orbit Earth, but don’t serve any useful purpose. Essentially, they were sent up, served their mission, and have been left to circle around our planet unrestrained and uncontrolled. This debris poses a significant danger to future space exploration, but also to our planet’s land-based populations.
Space debris not only poses a danger to spacecraft, but it can also fall back to Earth and potentially cause harm to our planet's population upon re-entry. Although they are quite rare, objects that do not fully burn up in the atmosphere during re-entry can pose a significant risk to humans and public infrastructure. While the likelihood of being hit by space debris is extremely low, it is still a real danger that cannot be ignored.
Space debris is not a new issue. Space agencies have been working on solutions to mitigate the risks for quite a while. One of such solutions is the implementation of ground-based radars and telescopes to track movement and space debris. This data would be used to calculate the probability of collisions and in turn alert spacecraft to avoid any dangerous, out of control object.
Another solution is to build spacecraft using materials that are more resistant to damage from space debris. One notable example of such designs is the International Space Station which was designed to withstand impacts from objects up to 1.5 centimeters large.
However, the most sustainable solution to space debris is simply getting rid of it: rather than try to find shortcuts to solve the issue, what we need to do is remove the issue of space junk all together. In the long run (think in 1000s of years), letting space debris continue to pile up is never going to work and will eventually completely obstruct humanity from reaching the limits of the Milky Way. Scientists have found several methods for debris removal such as the use of nets, harpoons, tethers, and even robotic arms to capture and remove debris from our orbit. Some prototypes also involve the use of lasers or other energy sources to vaporize debris.
Several space agencies and private companies have already started working on the development of debris removal technologies. Back in 2018, the European Space Agency launched the RemoveDEBRIS mission which used a net to capture and remove space junk. This is just one of many examples of space agencies taking action against this growing issue. However, we are still doing nowhere near enough.
Despite the mounting efforts, the problem of space debris continues to grow. In order to combat space junk, Earth needs a collaborative effort from all space-faring nations to find a sustainable solution. Space debris is a problem that affects everyone, and it is essential that we work together to find a solution that benefits us all.
So to conclude, space debris poses a significant danger to the future of space exploration and to the Earth's land-based populations. It is a problem that requires urgent attention and action from space agencies, private companies, and governments around the world. Through collaborative efforts and innovative technologies, we can ensure a safer and more sustainable future for space exploration and for life on Earth.
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