Experts are warning that the growing issue of space junk could have severe consequences for humans’ ability to travel in space. The problem of space debris has been building since the start of space exploration in the 1950s, as countries have left behind remnants of satellites, rockets, and spacecraft in orbit. Estimates suggest that there are millions of objects, both small and large, floating in Earth’s atmosphere and beyond.
While this may seem insignificant given the vast size of the solar system, even small fragments of space junk have the potential to cause catastrophic damage through collisions. This is due to a phenomenon known as Kepler’s law, which states that a single collision can trigger a chain reaction of collisions among other debris, similar to a set of dominoes falling. This scenario is known as Kessler syndrome and could render space travel impossible, as the chaos of colliding objects would make it unsafe for humans to venture beyond Earth.
Although Kessler syndrome remains a theoretical concern for now, there have already been instances of space junk collisions causing the destruction of satellites and posing risks to the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS has had to maneuver to avoid spiraling space debris on multiple occasions.
To address the problem, there has been a growing movement to ensure proper disposal of objects in space. Satellites reaching the end of their operational life are either sent to a “graveyard orbit” outside the geosynchronous region or brought back down to Earth in designated areas known as “satellite graveyards.” Rockets and spacecraft also need to be properly disposed of to avoid the risk of fragmentation events.
Larger objects like the ISS are guided back to Earth through controlled re-entry procedures, where they burn up in the atmosphere or fragment into smaller pieces that fall into the remote Pacific Ocean. While there are concerns about the environmental impact of burning objects in the atmosphere, these satellite graveyards are chosen for their isolated locations and low impact on marine life.
Efforts are underway to manage and remove space junk, with NASA planning to retire the ISS by safely disposing of it in the Pacific Ocean in 2031. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also established regulations for satellite disposal, recently issuing a fine to a company for failing to comply. U.S. Senators have introduced the ORBITS Act to address the growing issue of space debris.
As private companies like SpaceX and Amazon continue to launch satellites, the number of objects orbiting Earth is expected to increase significantly. It is crucial to address the space junk problem not just for the sake of space travel but also to consider the environmental impact of debris burning up in the atmosphere. The responsible disposal of space trash is essential to ensure the sustainability of space exploration and protect our planet from the risks posed by space debris.