WHILE OUR ATTENTION REMAINS FOCUSED ON ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES ON EARTH, ANOTHER EMERGENCY IS GROWING SILENTLY IN THE DARKNESS OF THE COSMOS: SPACE WASTE. NASA IS ADDRESSING THIS THREAT THROUGH A PROGRAM. HOWEVER, SOME EXPERTS WARN THAT WE ARE ALREADY AT A POINT OF NO RETURN
NASA Tackles Space Junk: A Race Against Time
The problem of garbage in orbit among the planets is probably the question”space” more urgent at this moment. Nearly 10,000 satellites circle the globe but there are also many other abandoned rocket bodies and millions of other debris hurtling around our planet at around 27,000 kilometers per hour.
Astronomers who have raised the alarm about the increasingly crowded space around Earth have praised NASA’s new plan but many say the US space agency must hurry to tackle the problem of pollution in orbit.
But what risks lie in the cosmos?
Growing Concerns: The Threat of Space Debris
The proliferation of satellites in Earth orbit has led to an increase in dangers from space junk. Pam Melroy deputy administrator of NASA and his colleagues are particularly concerned about the International Space Station (ISS) and for the astronauts on board. Specifically, they fear the risk of collisions that could endanger human lives.
The growing density of satellites makes the Earth’s orbit increasingly congested and dangerous.
Furthermore, second Darren McKnighta spacecraft tracking expert, NASA’s long-term models suggest that the debris problem will continue to grow over time.
Every satellite is vulnerable, if hit by debris it could create a dangerous cycle in which collisions can generate further debris. Which could make the orbits unusable for long periods.
NASA’s sustainability strategy highlights the urgent need to address this challenge.
With the rapid spread of artificial constellations, (artificial satellites) such as Starlink of SpaceX and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, it is becoming increasingly critical to protect the space around Earth and ensure the security of cosmic assets. But are we still in time to intervene?
The threat of large masses of waste in space
Recent close encounters between active space probes and defunct satellites indicate that the danger is serious. NASA’s TIMED probe’s contact with a Russian satellite that has been dormant for 32 years highlights the vulnerability of space missions, as non-functioning satellites cannot avoid collisions.
The ISS is particularly at risk, having suffered several threats from space debris in recent years. Those threats include shrapnel from an old Russian rocket and fragments from a Russian anti-satellite missile test, which delayed a spacewalk by NASA astronauts. Other countries, such as China and India, have also contributed to the proliferation of space debris through tests of anti-satellite missiles.
Moriba Jahexpert in aerospace engineering, fromUniversity of Texas, points out that the fate of every object launched into space is to become garbage. As a result, a change in the approach of space agencies and companies is urgently needed.
Zero debris
As the cosmic debris problem continues to grow, several agencies are taking concrete steps to counter this imminent threat. L’European Space Agency (ESA) introduced its approach “zero debris” with clear targets to be achieved by 2030, while the UK and Japan are investing in initiatives to promote space sustainability and collaborate with international organizations such as the United Nations.
As for the United States, the Federal Communications Commission imposed new rules to force telecommunications companies to properly dispose of their decommissioned spacecraft, while the Federal Aviation Administration has proposed regulations to ensure the responsible disposal of rocket upper stages left in orbit.
Circular spatial economy
Despite this progress, some experts believe NASA’s strategy could be improved. Moriba Jah, suggests that NASA could benefit from adopting waste management principles already applied to address other forms of pollution. Jah also highlights the importance of developing a circular space economy, which involves the reuse and recycling of satellites rather than simply dispersing them in orbit.
Challenges and prospects for waste removal in orbit
Astroscale-Japan’s Active Debris Removal mission (ADRAS-J), launched in February, is focusing on an old rocket body abandoned in orbit for fifteen years. The goal is to characterize the condition and movements of this giant piece of junk to time its removal in a future mission.
Meanwhile, in 2026, ESA and the Swiss company Clearspace, which specializes in cosmic waste removal, plan to launch a spacecraft with robotic arms to capture a 113 kg piece of rocket and drag it safely into Earth’s atmosphere, where both the waste and the vehicle will burn safely. According to the US Space Force, the piece of rocket in question was hit by smaller cosmic fragments last year.
Pam Melroy says the United States will definitely conduct its own space waste disposal missions but the agency still needs to refine its sustainability plan before making decisions. Melroy, explored various innovative ideas, including the use of harpoons, nets or orbital grab gloves to grab garbage.
However, implementing these technologies will require considerable time and resources. NASA’s annual budgets depend on the United States Congress, which recently cut the agency’s budget.
A cost-benefit analysis by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shows that removing the fifty most dangerous objects in low Earth orbit would be beneficial in the long run. Furthermore, the development of technologies such as lasers to move debris away from a possible collision course could help prevent imminent accidents. Unfortunately, however, the realization of such solutions will require years of research and development.
Next steps in galactic waste management
Aaron Boleyplanetary scientist ofUniversity of British Columbia (Canada), highlights the importance of considering active removal of galactic waste as part of a broader strategy. While praising NASA’s recent space sustainability efforts, Boley cautions against the idea that debris removal alone will solve the problem.
Boley underlines the importance of changing human behavior because continuing to pollute and leave garbage in orbit will make removal efforts in vain.
Specifically, since Earth orbit marks the boundary with outer space, comprehensive management requires strategies that protect not only low Earth orbit, but also other regions of space, namely Interplanetary Space, Interstellar Space, and Intergalactic space.
Exploring the Moon sustainably: The future of NASA’s space strategy
NASA, meanwhile, is preparing to extend its sustainability strategy to the Moon and deep space, including Mars and asteroids. Through the Artemis program, the American space agency is committed to developing a lunar outpost. However, competition for lunar resources is intense, with China, Russia and the commercial space industry advancing their projects for the Moon.
Pam Melroy, emphasizes the importance of considering present and future needs in the use of lunar resources, especially frozen water. The conservation of scientifically significant, historically important and areas of great natural beauty is a priority to ensure that resources are available for future generations.
Space waste and climate change
The spacecraft tracking expert Darren McKnightpoints out that the space waste crisis is similar to the climate change. In the sense that it is an imminent threat but is often ignored until it becomes a major problem.
It is hoped that NASA will address this issue urgently, recognizing that it is better to prevent than remedy a crisis.
Source
National Geographic