Resources and Links
Pixabay
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/orbital_debris.html
With the ramp up in commercial space travel, new hazards have arisen for those who have made the journey into the final frontier. Recently, NASA had to take evasive action to dodge space junk that was on course to impact the ISS. In 1996, a woman in Tulsa, Oklahoma was struck by space debris from a satellite launch. Space debris and junk have many sources, from routine maintenance operations of satellites and space stations to accidental or deliberate release of objects into space. This hazard, along with the proliferation of satellites since the commercialization of space travel due to recent investment and innovation create a real challenge for space exploration of commercial usage.
When we think of outer space and Earth’s orbit, we often overlook space junk and satellite presence. Private industry and governments around the world launched 1,702 satellites into orbit in 2021, and the amount of satellites in orbit has increased to 4,852. Space debris from launches, satellites and other activities is a threat. Space debris is hazardous because it travels so fast, and can be persistent in the orbital environment. Even a flake or paint or tool can become extremely dangerous, and are existent threats. Can you image the cost of orbital accidents? What if an astronaut becomes injured while working on a craft?
What can be done to avoid loss in such an environment? Even a small piece of debris in orbit moves at approximately 18,000 MPH, and there are over 100,000 objects that are large enough to be traced. Steve Wozniak’s company called Privateer had launched satellites into orbit to monitor space junk and coordinate movement of satellites. A potential solution piloted by Privateer is the Resslek monitoring system and the ability to rent existing satellites for use. Another issue we need to confront is that avoiding space junk is not a solution. We need to be able to remove the junk from orbit and stop the proliferation of orbital waste, and the severity of ignoring the problem could threaten further expansion of space exploration and satellite launches. Some proposed solutions include nets, hooks and even lasers that push objects into a collision course with Earth’s atmosphere. Space debris can be tracked, so if it falls into our atmosphere we can gage its safety.
Space debris and the doubling of satellites in orbit since 2018 are troubling for satellite operators, astronauts, technologists and even astronomers. It is a problem we will need to confront, as accidents in space represent significant costs to satellite operators and space walkers alike. As commercial space companies including SpaceX and others expand and grow, we will need to confront and adapt to this novel threat.
Posted in Hive and Steemit