Space Debris: An Increasing Risk to Earth’s Orbit

A saturated orbit: inventory of a growing problem

Terrestrial orbit is today crowded by thousands of objects from several decades of spatial exploration. It is estimated that more than 36,500 debris measuring more than 10 cm, not to mention more than a million smaller fragments. This accumulation mainly results from human activities in orbit and accelerates with the increase in launches.

These debris come from different sources. Some are out of service satellites, arrived at the end of the mission and left on site. Others are abandoned floors of rockets, remaining in orbit after having released their payload. Finally, there are a multitude of fragments from collisions or explosions, creating a dispersion of materials in space.

With the development of the space sector, including satellite mega-constellations, the density of orbit objects continues to increase. This expansion illustrates a broader trend: access to facilitated space, resulting in an increasing presence of artificial gear around the earth.

The dangers of space debris

Spatial debris does not remain indefinitely in orbit. Over time, some slow down under the effect of atmospheric forces and end up falling on earth. Most burn entirely by entering the atmosphere, but the larger ones can survive this crossing and reach the surface. In January 2024, a debris of half-tonne crashed in Kenya, illustrating a risk that could intensify as the terrestrial orbit fills up. Although these falls remain rare, they raise concerns, especially for aviation, where an impact with a flight in flight, as improbable as it is, would have catastrophic consequences.

Another major danger lies in Kessler's syndrome, a scenario envisaged in 1978 by Donald Kessler, scientist of NASA. This phenomenon describes a situation where the density of debris in orbit reaches a critical threshold, triggering a chain reaction. An initial collision generates thousands of fragments which, in turn, strike other satellites, causing an uncontrolled multiplication of debris. Ultimately, this cascade of impacts could make certain orbits unusable, compromising space missions and threatening essential satellites to communications, weather or GPS.

Finally, the environmental impact of space debris is starting to be studied closely. When they burn when they get into the atmosphere, they release metals and microplastics, the long -term effects of which on the chemical composition of the air are misunderstood. Some scientists also fear that these particles make the sky more reflective, thus modifying the earthly climate balance. In parallel, this light pollution disrupts the work of astronomers, making the observation of the stars more complex.

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What solutions to fight against space debris?

Faced with the growing threat of space debris, several technological solutions are currently being studied. Among them, space nets represent an innovative method: satellites equipped with nets could capture debris and bring them back into the atmosphere in a controlled manner, where they would disintegrate.

Another approach is to use lasers to slow down and deflect debris, to prevent them from collising with satellites or space stations. In addition, tests have been carried out in Japan with wooden satellites, which, burning in the atmosphere, would leave no waste. Although these technologies are promising, they are still expensive and complex to implement on a large scale.

On the other hand, regulatory efforts are underway to better supervise the management of space debris. Currently, the main space agencies like NASA and ESA are trying to define standards for the “end of life” of satellites, imposing, for example, the obligation to detect them once their mission is finished. In addition, “cemetery orbits” have been created to store out of service satellites.

However, these initiatives are not generally binding, because there is not yet global legislation which would oblige all nations and private companies to respect these rules. In the absence of an international legal framework, private actors continue to launch objects in space without clear restrictions.

What future for terrestrial orbit?

Humanity is therefore at a decisive crossroads with regard to the future of terrestrial orbit. If we continue to send orbit objects without rigorous management of space debris, we risk compromising access to space for future generations. The accumulation of debris could create major risks for the satellites in operation, the inhabited missions, and even the security of land infrastructure. Faced with this danger, a collective awareness is essential. Joint efforts between nations and private actors are essential to limit risks and guarantee a viable future for spatial exploration.

Solutions exist, but they require massive investments and international coordination. Cleaning debris, the development of new technologies for bureering, and the establishment of strict standards in terms of end -of -life satellites are crucial tracks. However, the implementation of these solutions requires global cooperation, because space is a common good shared by all countries. Without effective regulation and collective actions, terrestrial orbit could quickly become an uncontrollable discharge.

The future of spatial exploration is based on our ability to manage this waste. Taking measures today, whether technological, legislative or diplomatic, is essential to preserve an accessible and exploitable long -term space. It is imperative to act now to guarantee that space remains an asset for future generations, and not a burden difficult to manage.

Source: Phys.org