Space Debris: the growing threat to sustainability in orbit
Space debris is no longer a distant concern; it’s a present and urgent issue threatening the sustainability of our activities in Earth’s orbit. Old satellites, rocket parts, and fragments resulting from collisions continue to accumulate in space, due to industry’s expansion. If we don’t act now, space debris could jeopardize the future of scientific missions, satellite communications or even human spaceflight.
Understanding the space debris problem
Space debris, often called “space junk,” are the non-functional human-made objects orbiting Earth, including defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and small fragments from past collisions or explosions.
36.000 objects larger than 10 cm each and millions of other smaller fragments are currently tracked in orbit. We might see them as insignificant compared to the vast space, but travelling at speeds up to 28,000 km/h, even a tiny piece of debris can cause immense damage.
Thanks to mega-constellations like Starlink, OneWeb or Project Kuiper, 100,000 new satellites are planned for launch over the next decade, the space around Earth becoming increasingly congested. Without intervention, the risk of catastrophic collisions will continue to grow.
Why does space debris threaten sustainability?
Sustainability in space means ensuring the long-term usability of Earth’s orbits. Space debris directly threatens this goal. A collision between two satellites or with a piece of debris could create thousands of new fragments, further increasing the risk to another spacecraft.
This concern isn’t hypothetical. In 2009, an Iridium communications satellite collided with a defunct Russian satellite, producing over 2,000 pieces of trackable debris. In 2021, a Russian anti-satellite weapons test added more than 1,500 fragments to low Earth orbit.
Each of these events highlighted the growing danger and the domino effect known as the Kessler Syndrome. Also known as the “Kessler effect” describes a situation in which the density of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) becomes so high due to space pollution that collisions between these objects cascade, making certain orbital zones unusable.
Are there any solutions for space debris mitigation?
Lately, companies and public institutions have realised the importance of keeping the space clean, so they have started to innovate and cooperate to address this crisis.
Below are the most promising strategies being developed and implemented:
- Designing satellites for deorbiting
In the fight against space debris, satellites are now designed with end-of-life disposal systems, like propulsion units, drag sails or tethers, allowing them to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up after their mission ends. The result? A reduced number of inactive satellites left drifting in orbit.
- Active Debris Removal (ADR)
One of the most exciting areas in space sustainability is active debris removal. Companies are now developing robotic spacecraft that can capture and deorbit space debris.
ESA’s ClearSpace-1 mission, scheduled for 2026, aims to be the first to demonstrate such removal in action.
What does this technology include?
- Robotic arms to grab and stabilize defunct satellites
- Harpoons and nets to trap and tow debris
- Laser-based systems to gently nudge objects into a lower orbit
AROBS Polska is contributing to the success of the ClearSpace-1 mission by being involved in developing the Rendez-Vous Sensor Processing Unit (RVSPU), which will process signals from multiple cameras and lidar sensors.
- Space Traffic Management (STM)
AI comes in handy for developing systems that can track debris in real time. Agencies like NASA and ESA, together with private companies, created space traffic management systems which can predict potential collisions or coordinate manoeuvres in real time.
Sharing responsibility
We know for sure that no single nation or company can solve the space debris challenge alone. It is a global problem requiring international collaboration. Cooperation among governments, private companies, and international organisations is essential to establishing clear standards and accountability.
We must think about space sustainability from the very beginning, from the mission planning process. By including debris mitigation measures in satellite design, launch protocols, and orbital operations, we can create a safer, more responsible space environment.
The future of space without debris
A clean orbital environment will enable future innovations like space tourism (which is gaining more momentum), in-orbit manufacturing, Earth observation and even deep space exploration. The space debris issue could severely limit access to these opportunities.
With continued investment and collaboration, we can build a future in which outer space remains safe, accessible, and sustainable for generations to come.
AROBS Polska has been actively involved in creating electronic systems, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) code, and embedded software, providing a wide range of services and products that cater to the specific needs of the space industry since 2016.
Read more about our expertise here – https://arobs.pl/ and our products – https://arobs.pl/products/.
