Researchers’ research on space is expanding day by day. The biggest threat to humanity’s opening up to space is the debris in Earth orbit. The debris is increasing day by day. At a panel at a conference held earlier this month, three experts made a statement. In their description, they specified the problem and possible solutions.
Satellite count expected to increase
During a panel at the Ars Frontiers conference, senior analyst Caleb Henry spoke about the debris problem. Henry noted that the debris problem is almost as old as space travel. During a Space Race in the 1960s, the Soviet Union and the United States launched rockets without considering orbits.
Recently, states have been showing an even more responsible behavior in space management. So instead of letting them fly after launch, it reserves fuel to return them to Earth’s atmosphere. But the debris problem has gone beyond used rocket stages. Henry had these words on the subject:
When you put things into space, they don’t just disappear like most garbage. Garbage in space is not biodegradable. As a result, we have tens of thousands of large debris, 10 centimeters or larger. And then depending on who you ask, there are millions of parts under 10 centimeters, many in low Earth orbit.
Another factor in the formation of space debris is the hundreds of thousands of debris created by anti-satellite tests. Russia, the USA, China and India have conducted ground-to-space missile tests. The reason for this was to demonstrate the ability of other states to bring down their satellites.
Finally, after the Russian demonstration that threatened the International Space Station, the United States promised to end these tests. He also made calls to other countries. However, according to the statements, there is a new problem in the existing wreckage.
According to Therese Jones, policy director for the Satellite Industry Association, the number of satellites in already crowded orbits is expected to increase. Jones said that thousands of satellites will be launched in the coming years. She also stated that there are currently about 5,000 satellites in orbit.
Is it possible to solve the space debris problem?
Astroscale vice president of global marketing communications, Dave Hebert, stated that the barrier to solving the problem is not just technical. He said he had economic and political difficulties as well as technical hurdles.
Organization of space debris, lowly by the UN Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. However, this situation stands as a consensus-based organization. In this case, there is no change unless Russia, China or the USA accept it.
Therese Jones said that all that is currently available are guidelines that can be sustained on a long-term basis. That’s why she urged the US government to take other steps. He also added:
I think this work should really be done by the US government on a bilateral and multilateral basis, on coordination and management, to get somewhere with like-minded countries. And once we start registering other countries, then it becomes normal behavior in space where Russia and China are indirectly linked, even if they don’t sign up. So I think that’s where we should go.
Well, what do you think about this issue? Don’t forget to share your views with us in the comments!
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