A European conference on space debris has emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further pollution of Earth’s orbit. The conference, held in Bonn, Germany, brought together experts who warned that if left unchecked, human activity could lead to a loss of access to orbits around our planet.
Currently, there are approximately 40,000 tracked objects, including burned-out rocket stages and retired satellites, in Earth’s orbit. However, many smaller fragments remain undetectable by ground-based radars, estimated at over 130 million. These fragments can cause significant damage when they collide with active spacecraft, producing even more debris.
The problem is exacerbated by the growing number of satellite launches, including private companies like SpaceX and Amazon. The Starlink satellite constellation has grown to over 7,100 satellites, while China plans to launch over 1,000 satellites. This increasing space traffic increases the likelihood of collisions between active satellites.
Experts agree that urgent regulations are needed to define how operators should maneuver their spacecraft to avoid collisions and ensure safe re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. However, some argue that even with regulations in place, the number of space debris is likely to continue growing due to fragmentation events caused by exploding batteries or fuel tanks.
To address this issue, the European Space Agency (ESA) is developing a “tow-truck” satellite called Clearspace 1, which will use gripper arms to catch uncontrolled spacecraft and guide them into Earth’s atmosphere. The mission is set to launch in 2028 and aims to demonstrate the feasibility of active removal of space debris.
The experts warn that if we fail to take action, it could lead to catastrophic consequences, including loss of access to orbits around our planet. With the increasing number of satellites in orbit, the risk of collisions and resulting debris increases. It is essential that governments and international organizations work together to establish guidelines and procedures for safe satellite operation and space debris removal.
Source: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/experts-call-for-urgent-action-on-space-debris