As per NASA, both the orbital debris and spacecraft travel at speeds of about 15,700 mph in low Earth orbit. (Modeling image: IRAS/TU Braunschweig via ESA)
Space Junk: If you are at all interested in the activities happening outside the Earth, you would have heard that recently, that a defunct Chinese satellite nearly collided with the International Space Station, and it was only averted when the ISS manoeuvred out of the way. While the event was enough to bring up the debate of space junk all over again, what has added to it is the fact that a new study has found that very soon, the Earth could also have Saturn-like rings but of space junk! And if that is not troublesome, I dont know what is.
Heres some context for you. According to US space agency NASA, the US Department of Defenses global Space Surveillance Network (SSN) sensors are tracking over 27,000 pieces of space junk, or as they are technically called orbital debris. Now I know what you are thinking 27,000 pieces in the vast space? Thats not so bad. But it is, because these are pieces in the near-Earth space environment. And there are many more pieces that are present close to Earth but are not large enough to be tracked. They are, however, large enough to cause trouble for human spaceflight and robotic missions.
Also read | Is it Earth or is it Saturn? Soon, space junk will form rings around our planet and its very troubling
As per NASA, both the orbital debris and spacecraft travel at speeds of about 15,700 mph in low Earth orbit, and therefore, even a tiny piece of space junk can cause major damage if it were to collide with a spacecraft. The rising population of space debris increases the potential danger to all space vehicles, including to the International Space Station and other spacecraft with humans aboard, such as SpaceXs Crew Dragon, NASA says.
Orbital debris is any human-made object in orbit about the Earth that no longer serves a useful function. Such debris includes nonfunctional spacecraft, abandoned launch vehicle stages, mission-related debris, and fragmentation debris, NASA explains.
With space junk travelling at very high speeds, not only do ISS and rockets need swift manoeuvres, but scientists would have to ensure that new satellites have a swift automated response to detect and prevent collision with the orbital debris, or investments worth millions of dollars would vanish into thin air, quite literally.
The concerns around space junk have been increasing ever since an inactive Russian satellite collided with an active US one back in 2009 while they were travelling at speeds of about 22,300 mph and turned into thousands of pieces of tiny debris.
Space junk not only pollutes space (which should, frankly, be left free from the ill-effects of human life), but it also causes a vicious cycle to emerge. Orbital debris can collide with other human made objects and in turn create more pieces of debris which would each prove to be hazardous while whizzing about in space. Not only that, but if the debris is also likely to collide with other celestial objects that might cross the orbit of the Earth and cause some damage to them.
However, recognising this problem, more and more space agencies and organisations are trying to come up with a solution.
Japan had a few years ago sent an experimental space junk collector that would grab onto pieces of space junk and bring them to the Earths atmosphere to be incinerated. This experiment, however, had failed when the spacecrafts tether failed to be deployed.
Not being discouraged by this, however, Japans Astroscale earlier this year launched a demonstration satellite that would locate and retrieve used satellites and other pieces of space junk. Apart from this, the European Space Agency has also finalised a contract for a 2025 mission to capture and dispose of a piece of space junk with the help of a four-armed claw.
One thing that is bothering, though, is that while some private companies are concerned about space and cosmic pollution, the focus of NASA with regard to space junk ends at its impact on satellites and spacecraft. Though that is a fair concern and an important issue considering the increasing space exploration missions that are being carried out, it is not the only one, nor should it be the main one.
The main issue is that just like the Earth, too much junk or debris can cause a cosmic imbalance at least around the Earth, Moon and Mars, where most of the exploration missions are headed at the moment. It is estimated that an average of 400 pieces of space junk (very small pieces) fall on Earth every year, but now, larger pieces of debris are also floating about. Such pieces of junk, while relatively harmless now, can create major problems in how the solar system functions if they accumulate in large numbers. Right now, air pollution on Earth blocks our view of the sky, but exaggerated as this may seem, who knows one day we might just see a whole lot of space junk in the sky! It could also alter the balance between Earth and space due to such close proximity to our planet, and such an imbalance might lead to the end of all life on the planet. We already know that conditions required for sustaining life are rare and any change can cause the scale to tip. We really need to ask ourselves is space junk really the hill we want to die on?
Get live Stock Prices from BSE, NSE, US Market and latest NAV, portfolio of Mutual Funds, Check out latest IPO News, Best Performing IPOs, calculate your tax by Income Tax Calculator, know markets Top Gainers, Top Losers & Best Equity Funds. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Financial Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest Biz news and updates.
Here is the original post:
- A Q&A with Katya Echazarreta, the first Mexican-born woman to travel to space - Astronomy Magazine - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Japans planning its first lunar steps with the Artemis program - The Hill - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- DC Eyes Beijing's Investments In Space - Payload - Payload - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- THIS WEEK @NASA: More Partners in Space Exploration, Upgrade to Testing Facilities for Artemis II - SpaceCoastDaily.com - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Explore Space and Poetry with NASA and Poet Laureate Ada Limn - sxsw.com - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- NASA warns of secret military presence in space disguised as civilian programs - TweakTown - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- NEW: UAH wins first place in college division in NASA's 30th Human Exploration Rover Challenge - Hville Blast - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Are we prepared for Chinese preeminence on the moon and Mars? (op-ed) - Space.com - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- As space exploration increases, effective space regulation is a necessity - Verdict - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- NASA Announces Winners of Power to Explore Challenge - NASA - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- NASA tests walking robot on Mount Hood for space exploration with universities - KTVL - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Five future astronauts certified from European Space Agency's 2022 graduating class - UPI News - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Sweden becomes 38th country to sign NASA's Artemis Accords for moon exploration - Space.com - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Space start-up claims to have discovered propellant-free propulsion system - NewsBytes - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Soyuz Spacecraft Launches to Space Station With NASA Astronaut - SciTechDaily - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- This Week In Space podcast: Episode 103 Starship's Orbital Feat - Space.com - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- From 3D To Outer Space: Register For WCC Youth Summer Camps - mitechnews.com - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- NASA and SpaceX: Enhancing Space Exploration with the 30th Resupply Mission - Space Daily - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- The Cosmic Enigma: How Space Exploration is Unraveling the Universe's Birth Secrets - yTech - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Following Safe Return, NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 to Recount Space Mission - NASA - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- The Heat: Space Exploration - CGTN America - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- SpaceX Time-Lapse Video Captures the Essence of Space Travel - yTech - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- TOP 4 Reasons to Return to the Moon - The Universe. Space. Tech - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- SpaceX Dragon Successfully Attaches to ISS Bringing Vital Research Payloads - yTech - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- End of an Era: Delta IV Heavy Makes Final Journey to the Stars - yTech - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Photography exhibition at the Mound delves into space exploration - The National - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Lunar Node 1: the trailblazing lunar beacon guiding NASA's future in space exploration - Boing Boing - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- SpaceX's CRS-30 Mission: Delivering Innovations and Research to the ISS - yTech - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Remembering Tom Stafford, the Space Races Peacemaker (1930-2024) - AmericaSpace - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- 9 Hints That Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes Involves Space Travel - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- NASA sends science projects and hardware aboard SpaceX's 30th resupply launch to ISS SatNews - SatNews - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft Docks to Space Station With New Science and Supplies - SciTechDaily - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Moon Race 2.0: Why so many nations and private companies are aiming for lunar landings - BBC.com - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- NASA Selects Texas A&M As First Approved Exploration Park Facility - Texas A&M University Today - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The Space Economy in 2024 - OODA Loop - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Opinion | It's an exciting time in space exploration. But U.S. leadership is at risk. - The Washington Post - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- NASA Experiment With Fire in Space Ends When Entire Spacecraft Burns Up - Futurism - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- NASA Selects Texas A&M as First Approved Exploration Park Facility - NASA - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Ground-Based Lasers Could Accelerate Spacecraft to Other Stars - Universe Today - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- 8 Space Exploration Books to Add to Your TBR - Book Riot - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Meet the Elected Members of the African Space Council - Space in Africa - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- NASA working with Texas A&M to build new spaceflight research facilities - 25 News KXXV and KRHD - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Inflatable Habitats: Expanding Space Exploration - Lockheed Martin - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- China's Rising Ambitions in Space Exploration: Chang'e Missions and International Cooperation - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Pressured Space Exploration in Today's Era - Mirage News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Exoplanet Hunter Sets Its Sights on Jupiter: A New Twist in Space Exploration - SciTechDaily - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Frontier Aerospace TALOS Engines Used For Space Exploration - PR Newswire - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Exploring the Potential of Minimoons - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Understanding the Role of TRISH in Space Health and its Future Innovations - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The Future of Satellite Refueling and In-Orbit Servicing - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Japan makes third attempt to launch next-gen rocket - Yahoo Singapore News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Uruguay becomes latest nation to join NASA's Artemis Accords - UPI News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- An astronomer's lament: Satellite megaconstellations are ruining space exploration - The Conversation - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Asteroid Mining: A Glimpse into the Future - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Singapore's ESS and Australia's ELA Join Forces to Redefine Space Exploration - BNN Breaking - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Intuitive Machines makes history with lunar lander launch - InnovationMap - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The Potential of Minimoons in Interplanetary Exploration and Space Travel - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- In space exploration, Switzerland punches above its weight - SWI swissinfo.ch - SWI swissinfo.ch in English - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Odysseus Mission: Pioneering the Lunar Economy and Space Exploration - BNN Breaking - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Starlab Announces Leadership Team With new CEO and CFO - SpaceWatch.Global - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The New Space Race: Private American Companies Compete to Land on the Moon - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Spectrum Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Plays Vital Role in NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications - PR Newswire - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Intuitive Machines Odyssey lunar lander to be launched early Wednesday - The Washington Post - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- New funding for space projects ensures the UK's role in global missions - Innovation News Network - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX and Intuitive Machines Lunar Mission: Challenges, Expectations, and Future - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Farewell to a NASA Hero: Apollo Astronaut Thomas K. Mattingly II Departs at 87 - SciTechDaily - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- NASA Welcomes Netherlands as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory - NASA - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- China's astronauts tend orbital garden to aid deep space exploration - Space.com - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- All-UK astronaut mission shows that private enterprise is vital to the ... - The Conversation Indonesia - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Former Astronaut Discusses Space Travel and Its Future With ... - Duke Today - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Returning astronauts to the moon is NASA's biggest challenge, but ... - Space.com - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Australias IPSEC Conference Shows Synergies Between the Space ... - Via Satellite - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Mice embryos successfully grown in space, a promising milestone ... - Salon - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Dava Newman talks Mars exploration and comunication - CMU The Tartan Online - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Science Fact or Fiction: Leveraging Space to Transform Medicine - Kennedy Space Center - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Now astronauts will not get lost in space - SAMAA - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Sci-fi inspired tractor beams are real, and could solve a major space ... - Livescience.com - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Mining Meets Space: Revolutionizing Industry Innovation with Cross ... - AZoMining - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Surf's up: Catch an atmospheric wave as ASU research team ... - ASU News Now - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Ron Baron says Tesla's valuation can hit $4 trillion, but 'SpaceX has ... - Morningstar - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]