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This satellite is on a collision course. It's about to smash into a retired Russian spy satellite. Unfortunately, due to a micrometeoroid impact that occurred shortly after it was launched, the satellite can no longer maneuver or safely deorbit itself. The impact will obliterate both satellites. And the resulting debris will fill Earth’s orbit with bands of hypersonic shrapnel.
Then, that shrapnel will tear through a crowded lower Earth orbit. This is it. The beginning of an ablation cascade. Also known as the Kessler syndrome. The debris from this collision will cause others. More collisions mean more debris. And more debris means even more collisions. It’s a feedback loop of the worse kind. One that could deny humanity access to Earth’s orbit for generations.
But what if we could stop it?
Today, researchers are working on several different ways to mitigate the dangers posed by space debris. One potential solution involves a powerful, megawatt-class laser. But rather than vaporize space debris, this ground-based beam would push its target down into the upper atmosphere. This would increase drag, ensuring the debris quickly reenters the atmosphere and burns up.
Another solution involves using specially designed “cleaner” satellites. These satellites would locate, secure and deorbit other broken or damaged satellites from orbit. A recent mission featured the launch and deployment of RemoveDEBRIS.
This satellite research project tested the effectiveness of several debris removal technologies on mock targets in low Earth orbit. As Earth’s orbit gets more crowded, developing debris removal technologies will become vital for protecting the future of space science and exploration.
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