Satellites from the United States and Russia came dangerously close to colliding in February 2024, highlighting the growing concern over space debris. The probability of a collision between the two satellites was estimated to be between 3 and 8 percent. If a collision had occurred, it would have released thousands of debris fragments into low Earth orbit, posing a significant threat to other satellites and modern life as we know it [63a0e9f8].
The US military is already tracking over 25,000 objects in low Earth orbit, and the number of debris fragments is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands. This increasing amount of space debris has prompted the emergence of space companies focused on debris removal. However, the cost of developing and implementing debris-removing technology may be too high to scale effectively. Instead, efforts are being made to regulate satellite operators and prevent the growth of abandoned rocket hardware [63a0e9f8].
China, in particular, has left more rocket parts in orbit than the rest of the world combined and has ambitious plans for a megaconstellation. Russia, China, and India have not supported UN measures aimed at preventing anti-satellite demonstrations or the deployment of nuclear weapons in orbit. This lack of support from major space powers raises concerns about the future of space debris management [63a0e9f8].
The incident on the International Space Station (ISS) on June 29, 2024, further highlights the growing problem of space debris. A Russian satellite disintegrated, causing the ISS crew to evacuate to emergency spacecraft for an hour due to the threat of space debris. The incident shocked the world and underscored the need for international cooperation in space traffic management and the development of technological solutions [1e8fb368].
Currently, there are over 500,000 pieces of space debris orbiting Earth, posing a significant risk to satellites and space missions. The incident on the ISS serves as a learning experience for improved debris tracking, enhanced international cooperation, and continued focus on astronaut safety in future space exploration [1e8fb368] [63a0e9f8].
The issue of space debris is now being compared to climate change, with space powers and companies borrowing language from the climate change discourse to address the problem. The management of space debris may require significant changes and a shift in human perspective on space exploration. Efforts are needed to regulate satellite operators, prevent the growth of abandoned rocket hardware, and develop cost-effective debris-removing technology. Without these measures, the threat of space debris will continue to grow, posing a significant risk to satellites and modern life [63a0e9f8].
Recent reports have raised concerns over Russia's potential plan to detonate a nuclear bomb in space. In 2022, Russia launched a satellite that has raised suspicions about its true purpose [c1723fe3]. The effects of nuclear weapons in space have been well-documented, as seen in the Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombings. The consequences of a nuclear explosion in space include damage to communication systems, flight radars, and navigational satellites. Additionally, the Kessler syndrome, where space debris collides and causes massive losses, is also a concern. The US has previously detonated a nuclear weapon in space in 1962, resulting in severe consequences such as radiation and damage to satellites and the electricity grid. The commercialization of space and the increasing number of satellite launches amplify the potential risks [c1723fe3].
The incident on the ISS and the potential plan by Russia to detonate a nuclear bomb in space highlight the urgent need for international cooperation and regulations to prevent the nuclearization of space. The management of space debris and the prevention of catastrophic events require global efforts and a commitment to ensuring the safety and sustainability of space activities [c1723fe3] [1e8fb368].
A U.S. start-up called Privateer, co-founded by Apple's Steve Wozniak, is using artificial intelligence to track space junk and warn satellite operators of potential collisions. The start-up's platform, called Wayfinder, is already tracking over 35,000 objects in orbit, with a focus on objects larger than 10cm. Privateer estimates that there are around 100 million space debris objects larger than 1mm. The company leverages AI to process the large amount of data required for tracking and predicting the orbits of these objects. Space debris poses a significant threat to the International Space Station and operational satellites. Privateer aims to make its tracking data available to satellite operators, international space agencies, and scientific communities. The start-up is also investing in earth observation data for environmental monitoring and other applications. Space situational awareness is becoming increasingly important as the amount of space traffic continues to increase, and there are currently no international norms to control it [8e902a8e].