Since the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, Earth’s orbit has become a bustling path for human activity. Presently, over 30,000 pieces of trackable wreckage ranging from defunct satellites to spent rocket stages and fragment parts from collisions and explosions orbit our planet at speeds surpassing 28,000 km/h.
Even the smaller pieces, which amount to millions, present a great risk to active satellites, space missions, and the International Space Station (ISS).
The accumulation of all these is referred to as “space junk.” They pose an increasing crisis for the global economy, military security, scientific exploration, and the future of human presence in the cosmos.
The human nature to always find solutions to problems, just like platforms like Vulkan Vegas PL, which was created for accessible wagering on games, is terrific.
So, as a countermeasure, a new billion-dollar industry is rising. This is devoted to cleaning up Earth’s orbit to prevent disastrous occurrences.
Origin of Space Junk
Since junk is the unconscious consequence of six decades of cosmic exploration and commercialization. Earlier satellites were seldom deorbited. Rather, they were left in orbit at the end of their functionalities.
Explosions of old rocket stages, accidental collisions, and even intentional destruction like China’s 2007 anti-satellite missile test have greatly increased the wreckage.
NASA scientist Donald J. Kessler theorized a worst-case scenario called the “Kessler Syndrome.” This refers to a cascade where collisions cause wreckage, leading to more collisions. Hence, this can create a self-sustaining belt of junk that can render a particular orbit unstable for years. At the moment, that dystopian future feels super close.
The Surging Expenses
The cosmic economy is booming. According to projections, the economy is estimated to reach about $1 trillion annually by 2040. However, space debris threatens this development. The damage to satellites costs the industry billions each year.
This excludes the insurance premiums and cost of evasive maneuvers that waste precious fuel and reduce satellite lifespan.
In 2021, the ISS had to reroute three times to avoid possible collisions with wreckage. Commercial satellite companies like SpaceX’s Starlink initiative now steadily perform collision avoidance maneuvers despite the costly and complex procedure.
At this point, the stakes are sky-high. Therefore, GPS, military operations, weather forecasting, communications, scientific research, and military operations all bank on the safety and sustainability of near-Earth orbit.
Pioneering Efforts to Clean Up Space
Cleaning up the galaxy is stressful, legally complex, and financially risky. Yet, it can be lucrative as well. As awareness of the issue amounts, so does the investment in orbital debris removal. The following are some companies that have led the charge.
ClearSpace SA (Switzerland)
This company was appointed to lead the world’s first debris removal mission. The spacecraft, named ClearSpace-1, will capture and deorbit a single piece of wreckage using robotic arms. They aim to build a fleet capable of servicing satellites, removing debris, and offering end-of-life solutions for future spacecraft.
Astroscale (Japan)
Their ELSA-d (End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-demonstration) mission successfully tested magnetic docking and retrieval of debris in 2021. They aim towards a future where spacecraft carry built-in docking plates and let them be retrieved once they are no longer useful.
Northrop Grumman (USA)
Thanks to its Mission Extension Vehicle (MEC) program, it offers a different angle. This entails servicing and extending the life of existing satellites. By sticking with aging satellites and offering propulsion, MEVs delay the need to deorbit them, minimizing new debris creation.
They marked a major milestone with their first successful docking with the Intelsat satellite in 2020.
LeoLabs (USA)
Instead of physically removing debris, they offer critical tracking and monitoring services. Their radar systems track thousands of objects, helping satellite operators to prevent and avoid collisions. The more space traffic increases, the more live data, and predictive analytics will ensure safe management.
Emerging Technologies for Clean Up
Removing debris is far more complex than it may seem. Solutions must consider the extreme complexities. They range from extreme velocities to unpredictability of objection movement and the delicate nature of active satellites. Some of these trending technologies used are as follows:
- Robotic Arms — devices like ClearSpace’s grippers concentrate on capturing physical debris, just like a claw game.
- Hairpoons — a space harpoon was tested by the European RemoveDebris mission. This highlights how it can be her way of spearing and retrieving debris.
- Nets — an additional approach that entails engaging and deorbiting multiple small pieces.
- Laser Nudging — ground-based lasers could trigger small debris into a faster decay process without physical contact.
- Drag Sails — lightweight sails can be attached to useless satellites, boosting atmospheric drag to hasten re-access.
Sounds like fishing and sailing terminology, right? Well, all of these methods have advantages and drawbacks. So, since no universal solution exists, combining the applicable approaches listed above is essential.
Ensuring a Safe, Open, and Accessible Space
The next decade is critical. In an ironic twist of events, companies competing to fill the skies with satellites could equally become the largest customers for space cleanup services. Hence, cleaning Earth’s orbit may well become a trillion-dollar industry.
So, as we stand at the threshold of a new galaxy era, one thing remains certain. The race ensures that the galaxy remains accessible for generations to come.
