Both astronauts and satellites have become concerned with the increasing accumulation of space debris in Earth’s orbit. The sheer volume of junk—dead satellites, rocket parts, and more—is a huge threat, and experts say that if it were to spread into an unstoppable chain reaction, called Kessler syndrome, it could essentially end future space launches. Now, companies such as Kayhan Space issue up to 1,000 collision warnings a day as space debris is tracked meticulously.
The Space Junk Problem: An Overcrowded Orbit
With human activity in space increasing, so has the debris left behind. From every satellite launched, every rocket launched into orbit to even discarded tools and hardware, like wrenches or gloves, the clutter in space environment has increased. Millions of pieces of space junk now orbit Earth, flying at speeds faster than bullets and now an ever increasing danger to operational satellites and astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), say experts.
A High-Risk Environment
Notably, Earth’s orbital space is very congested, particularly around 550 kilometers above Earth where Starlink satellites orbit. Today, satellite operators are issued with about 1,000 warnings a day about the risk of collision. The alerts are based on the debris’ positions as predicted rather than as it moves, because it is impossible to perfectly track debris at such vast distances with such fast velocities. The problem is that many warnings come fast and only a few result in actual collisions.
The Consequences of Collisions
The results are catastrophic when space debris does collide. Thousands of new pieces of debris are created by each impact, and it pollutes space with hazardous fragments. These collisions can get into a chain reaction of collisions, resulting in a dumping of debris in Earth’s orbit at an ever increasing density. Kessler syndrome, this scenario, could result in a future where space becomes unusable for further launches or satellite operations.
Notable Collisions in Space History
But there have already been several high profile space collisions, including the 2009 crash between an American and Russian satellite and the 2021 collision between a Chinese satellite and a Russian rocket fragment. They created massive debris fields that still endanger space operation today. In addition, other nations’ anti-satellite missile tests have added to the problem by tearing apart defunct spacecraft and sending thousands more into orbit.
The Challenges of Avoiding Space Collisions
Collision avoidance technology has advanced, but the sheer volume of space debris makes it more and more difficult to maneuver satellites safely in space. Automated systems are often used by satellite operators to adjust satellite trajectories in reaction to warnings. For example, SpaceX has to do thousands of maneuvers a year to avoid debris. But a significant number of older satellites, especially those engineered before the days of active maneuverability, are unable to reposition their orbits and are therefore more susceptible to collision.
Near-Misses and Close Calls
Collisions are always a risk. The ISS is an international space station, which means astronauts aboard regularly get alerts about nearby debris, sometimes with instructions to take evacuation measures if it looks like a collision is imminent. The station may also be shifted in its trajectory to avoid a hit if spacecraft docked at the station fire their engines. However, not all situations are so easily managed: for example, consider the 2023 situation in which a defunct Russian satellite came perilously close to NASA’s TIMED satellite. The satellites narrowly missed colliding but the near miss was a stark reminder that the dangers from uncontrolled space junk have not gone away.
The Need for Legislation and Solutions
After a surge in space debris, experts want stronger legislation and technology to clean up the orbit. One recent example of one such effort has been the ORBITS Act, a proposal which would allow the federal agencies — NASA and the Federal Communications Commission, for example — to develop and deploy debris removal technology. The management of space debris is becoming an urgent issue, and neglecting to act now could have severe follow-on consequences for future space exploration.
What Lies Ahead for Earth’s Orbit?
We’re still in a critical situation, but we are close to finding solutions. One of the technologies under development is the ability to capture and remove defunct satellites, rockets and other debris. Space continues to be safe for future generations and this is dependent on international cooperation. The risks are high, but mitigation and the long term sustainability of Earth’s orbit hinges on global efforts to regulate and clean up space junk.
We hope that space remains accessible for businesses, explorers and humanity as a whole as we look to the future. The space debris problem is not only a safety issue, it is critical to further space exploration.
The Path Forward: International Collaboration and Technology
We are working on efforts to address space debris, but the global space community needs to continue working together. Long term solutions may be provided by innovations in debris removal technology, e.g. robotic systems and magnetic tools. But this won’t happen without political will and scientific collaboration, and space will become a no go zone if that doesn’t happen.
Our ability to manage the growing problem of space debris is essential to the future of space exploration and satellite technology. With the right policy, right technology and international cooperation we can do our part to make sure Earth’s orbit stays clear and safe for generations to come.
