[June Theme Report] Space Pollutionby Yashaswi Hegde | 30-06-2023 15:52 |
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 Space pollution is a growing issue that threatens our ability to use space for exploration, research, and communication. It is caused by the accumulation of human-made objects in orbit around Earth, including defunct satellites and rocket stages. Even a small piece of debris can cause significant damage to a satellite or spacecraft. The first piece of space debris was created in 1957, when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite. Now, the problem is worsening, with an estimated 9,000 metric tons of debris orbiting Earth and an expected increase in collisions.  Source: MIT News Collisions between space debris are a major source of new debris. When two objects collide, they can break apart into thousands of smaller pieces, creating a chain reaction that can lead to even more collisions. This debris poses a serious risk to satellites, spacecraft, and even astronauts. In 2009, for example, a defunct Russian satellite collided with an active Iridium communications satellite. The collision created a cloud of debris that forced the operators of 40 other satellites to take evasive action. In 2016, a piece of space debris caused a small hole in the International Space Station's exterior hull. The hole was patched, but it served as a reminder of the dangers posed by space debris. There are a number of things that can be done to address the problem of space pollution. One is to develop better ways to track and catalog space debris. This would help to reduce the risk of collisions. Another is to develop new technologies for removing space debris from orbit. This could involve using lasers to vaporize debris or nets to capture it. It is also important to reduce the amount of space debris that is created in the first place. This could be done by designing satellites and spacecraft that are easier to deorbit at the end of their mission. There are a number of organizations that are working to address the problem of space pollution. These include the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). What can we do to help? There are a number of things that you can do to help address the problem of space pollution. These include: •Learn more about the issue. The more you know, the more you can do to help. •Urge our elected leaders to support policies that will reduce space pollution. •Support organizations that are working to address the problem of space pollution. •Make choices that reduce your own impact on space. For example, you can choose to use less energy and to recycle electronics responsibly. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against space pollution. Sources: 1) https://aerospace.org/ar2022 2) https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2021/03/The_history_of_space_debris_creation 3) https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/orbital_debris.html Image credits: BBC |
