Space
Growing Space Debris Problem has to be Tackled Urgently
Mark Hoffman
First Posted: Apr 26, 2013 11:24 AM EDT
Space debris is a growing problem, comparable to littering trash in orbit, because it has the tendency to multiplicate itself exponentially as soon as there are enough objects in space and they collide with each other. The urgent need to tackle this problem was now highlighted by the 6th European Conference on Space Debris, taking place yesterday at ESA's European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.
The solution is a combination of rocket science and common sense -- space missions should not leave behind trash but be sustainable, including safe disposal when they are completed. On the other hand, complex clean-up vehicles and missons should be developed to clean up existing debris, which already numbers several tenthousand objects larger than 10 centimeter in size.
This space debris already poses a significant risk to orbital regions in space that are important both for scientific studies and economic purposes.
"There is a wide and strong expert consensus on the pressing need to act now to begin debris removal activities," says Heiner Klinkrad, Head of Europe Space Agency's Space Debris Office. "Our understanding of the growing space debris problem can be compared with our understanding of the need to address Earth's changing climate some 20 years ago."
The cost of replacing damaged satellites is expected to be around €100 billion. Losing these satellites could lead to significant damage to the current society.
"While measures against further debris creation and actively deorbiting defunct satellites are technically demanding and potentially costly, there is no alternative to protect space as a valuable resource for our critical satellite infrastructure," Klinkrad added.
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First Posted: Apr 26, 2013 11:24 AM EDT
Space debris is a growing problem, comparable to littering trash in orbit, because it has the tendency to multiplicate itself exponentially as soon as there are enough objects in space and they collide with each other. The urgent need to tackle this problem was now highlighted by the 6th European Conference on Space Debris, taking place yesterday at ESA's European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.
The solution is a combination of rocket science and common sense -- space missions should not leave behind trash but be sustainable, including safe disposal when they are completed. On the other hand, complex clean-up vehicles and missons should be developed to clean up existing debris, which already numbers several tenthousand objects larger than 10 centimeter in size.
"There is a wide and strong expert consensus on the pressing need to act now to begin debris removal activities," says Heiner Klinkrad, Head of Europe Space Agency's Space Debris Office. "Our understanding of the growing space debris problem can be compared with our understanding of the need to address Earth's changing climate some 20 years ago."
The cost of replacing damaged satellites is expected to be around €100 billion. Losing these satellites could lead to significant damage to the current society.
"While measures against further debris creation and actively deorbiting defunct satellites are technically demanding and potentially costly, there is no alternative to protect space as a valuable resource for our critical satellite infrastructure," Klinkrad added.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone