Space debris, also known as space junk or orbital debris, refers to any artificial object in Earth’s orbit that no longer serves a useful purpose. These objects can be remnants of satellites, rockets, space missions, tools, or spacecraft parts that have been abandoned or lost during their operation.
Space debris can vary in size from small particles to large and heavy objects, and its presence in Earth’s orbit poses significant risks to operating satellites, space stations, and other spacecraft. Collisions with these objects can cause severe damage or even destroy equipment and vehicles in orbit, which can affect the safety and economy of countries that depend on space technology.
The problem of space debris is becoming increasingly severe as the number of space missions and the amount of objects launched into space increases. Therefore, technologies and measures are being developed to reduce the amount of space debris and protect objects in orbit.
The problem of space debris is becoming increasingly severe due to the increasing number of space launches, the proliferation of satellites, and the lack of global regulation for the proper disposal of objects in orbit. It is estimated that there are around 130 million space debris objects in Earth’s orbit, including more than 34,000 objects larger than 10 centimeters.
These objects can travel at speeds of up to 28,000 kilometers per hour and pose a threat to communication satellites, navigation systems, and Earth observation systems. They also pose a danger to the safety of astronauts on manned space missions and can hinder future space missions.
To address the problem of space debris, technologies are being developed to remove it safely and effectively. One of the techniques being researched is the use of lasers to remove smaller objects. Other solutions include the development of more resilient and lighter materials for spacecraft and the adoption of global policies and regulations for launching and disposing of objects in orbit.
In addition, international efforts are underway to monitor space debris and prevent collisions. The European Space Agency (ESA), for example, operates a surveillance system for detecting objects in orbit and alerting satellite operators and other objects in orbit of possible collisions.
In summary, space debris is an increasingly severe problem that poses significant risks to space technology and the safety of astronauts on space missions. Technologies and measures are being developed to address the problem, but international efforts are needed to regulate and control the number of objects launched into space and how they are disposed of.
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