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Keep Space Tidy? What is Floating Above Our Heads?
Space may look empty, but the area around Earth is becoming increasingly crowded.
Alongside thousands of working satellites are old spacecraft, discarded rocket parts and fragments from previous collisions. Together, these objects are known as space debris, or space junk.
WHAT IS SPACE DEBRIS?
Space debris includes any human-made object in orbit that is no longer useful.
It can range from entire satellites and rocket sections to tiny pieces of metal or paint. Although many fragments are small, they travel at extremely high speeds and can still damage spacecraft, solar panels and satellites.
Scientists estimate that tens of thousands of larger objects are currently orbiting Earth, along with more than a million smaller pieces.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Satellites support many of the services we rely on every day, including GPS, weather forecasts, communications, banking and transport.
As space becomes more congested, satellites sometimes need to move to avoid possible collisions. These manoeuvres use fuel and can shorten the life of the satellite.
A single collision can also create thousands of new fragments, increasing the risk of further impacts. This chain reaction is known as Kessler Syndrome.
CAN SPACE BE CLEANED UP?
Several organisations are developing ways to remove old satellites from orbit.
This is not as simple as collecting rubbish on Earth. A dead satellite may be moving quickly, spinning unpredictably and difficult to capture safely.
Companies are testing robotic arms, docking systems and spacecraft designed to guide unwanted objects back into the atmosphere, where they can burn up.
However, prevention remains the most effective solution.
New satellites can be designed to leave busy orbits safely at the end of their working lives. Researchers are also exploring ways to repair, refuel and reuse satellites rather than replacing them.
KEEPING SPACE OPEN FOR THE FUTURE
Space debris does not mean we need to stop launching satellites.
It does mean that governments, space agencies and private companies must take greater responsibility for what they leave behind.
Space may be vast, but the useful areas around Earth are limited. Keeping them clear will help ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from exploration, communication and scientific discovery.
Explore our range of original astronaut pens – hopefully none of these are floating around up there!