Energy News  
TECH SPACE
When debris overwhelms space
by Staff Writers for Launchspace
Bethesda, MD (SPX) Oct 11, 2018

The bottom line is that this cannot be allowed to happen. Somebody has to pay to cleanup space, and that somebody is going to be everybody on the planet, one way or another. To paraphrase a popular muffler ad: "You can pay now, or you can pay later. However, the cost is going to be much, much higher if we wait."

We see more and more reports of debris concern among satellite operators and space observers. Add to this the many recent announcements of multiple broadband satellite constellations that are being funded and developed for launch in the next few years. Just focusing on low Earth orbits (LEO), there are an estimated 10,000 satellites in the works.

SpaceX alone plans on launching over 4,000 of these multi-hundred-kilogram spacecraft that are now being built in Redmond, Washington. Add all of the broadband satellites to the hundreds of planned CubeSats and we have a new satellite population that is at least an order of magnitude larger than what is now in LEO. This explosion in population will be accompanied by an explosion in LEO debris. The implications are extremely serious.

Assuming no debris removal and control program is implemented, it is estimated that within the next decade the debris population will overwhelm LEO operations to the point that space access may be completely impossible. This cannot be allowed to happen because the world's economy will be set back at least one or two generations.

Since the military depends heavily on space, national defense capabilities will also be seriously diminished. Just imagine not having GPS, direct-to-home TV broadcasts, satellite weather, missile defense detection and many other services we now take for granted.

Once the debris takes over, there is no known way to then clean up space. It is fair to say that such a cleanup, if possible, could take decades or even centuries. Without space our technological future will be quite limited. Even our present way of life will disintegrate and revert back to the last century.

The bottom line is that this cannot be allowed to happen. Somebody has to pay to cleanup space, and that somebody is going to be everybody on the planet, one way or another. To paraphrase a popular muffler ad: "You can pay now, or you can pay later. However, the cost is going to be much, much higher if we wait."


Related Links
Launchspace
Space Technology News - Applications and Research


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


TECH SPACE
Plasma thruster: New space debris removal technology
Sendai, Japan (SPX) Oct 01, 2018
The Earth is currently surrounded by debris launched into space over several decades. This space junk can collide with satellites and not only cause damage to spacecraft but also result in further debris being created. To preserve a secure space environment, the active removal or de-orbiting of space debris is an emergent technological challenge. If remedial action is not taken in the near future it will be difficult to sustain human space activities. To overcome this issue, several methods for th ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

TECH SPACE
How will climate change stress the power grid

Electricity crisis leaves Iraqis gasping for cool air

Energy-intensive Bitcoin transactions pose a growing environmental threat

Germany thwarts China by taking stake in 50Hertz power firm

TECH SPACE
New fuel cell concept brings biological design to better electricity generation

Efficient generation of high-density plasma enabled by high magnetic field

Flowing salt water over this super-hydrophobic surface can generate electricity

A new carbon material with Na storage capacity over 400mAh/g

TECH SPACE
Large-scale US wind power would cause warming that would take roughly a century to offset

UCSB mechanical engineer develops ways to improve windfarm productivity

Large-scale wind power needs more land, causes more climatic impact than previously thought

Wind turbines contribute to climate change: study

TECH SPACE
ASU researcher innovates solar energy technology in space

Chernobyl begins new life as solar power park

New Solar Bible Happily Includes CPUC Required Solar Information Disclosures in latest 265 Page Edition

HZB researchers are used to boost the efficiency of silicon solar cells

TECH SPACE
At Le Creusot, dimensional inspection of test pieces is going digital

New concept to cool boiling surface may help prevent nuclear power plant accidents

TVO joins FROG as EPR reactor operator

First fuel cladding tubes delivered for "Hualong-1" nuclear power plant

TECH SPACE
In pre-vote boost for farmers, Trump to ease ethanol fuel rules

A biofuel for automated heat generation

Climate researchers: More green space, less biofuel

How a molecular signal helps plant cells decide when to make oil

TECH SPACE
Russia minister considers joining OPEC unnecessary, unreasonable

Gas prices highest in four years for fall season

Crude oil prices tick up as Hurricane Michael targets the Florida panhandle

Total, Saudi Aramco sign accord to build petrochemical complex

TECH SPACE
UN warns paradigm shift needed to avert global climate chaos

Trump questions UN global warming report

Dutch court tells government to slash greenhouse gas

Avoiding climate chaos means 'unprecedented' change: UN report









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.