Satellites are creating space debris, which can harm the environment in multiple ways

Report regarding “Space Environment and Pollution”

In the last 60 years, over 11,000 satellites have been sent to space. Over 7,000 of these satellites are currently in space and will likely stay in orbit for five to ten years. These numbers will only increase as more private companies like Amazon send satellites into orbit, according to the World Economic Forum.

While satellites are an incredibly advanced technology that we are able to harness, it is important to be mindful of the environmental impact they have on space. When satellites are in space, they can often create space debris, which is a term referring to manmade machinery that is left alone in space. The Natural History Museum reported that the most common types of space debris are satellites that do not come back to Earth when their mission is finished or remains that fall off machinery such as paint pieces. In total, the amount of space debris larger than ten centimeters is estimated at around 34,000 pieces. This number would increase to millions when smaller pieces of debris are taken into account.

The problem with space debris is that it could hit and damage other satellites in space. In turn, there would be more space debris formed in space. With more space debris floating around, there is a higher risk of another satellite hitting it, resulting in the process all over again until there is an even greater amount of space debris. From there, the debris can come back to Earth and litter the planet, which has happened in Siberia in the Altai region, according to Earth.Org. However, Science ABC found that the debris can also emit compositional chemicals that enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn instantly. These compositional chemicals consume ozone, which is essential to human life. Lastly, space debris results in more sunlight being reflected off of the materials, creating light pollution and making the sky less dark at night. This light pollution can interfere with natural habitats and routines and produce more harmful carbon dioxide that contributes to global warming, as reported by the National Geographic Society.

Hugh Lewis, a Professor of Astronautics at the University of Southampton, highlighted the urgency of the issue of space debris.

"Tackling the problem of space debris is one of humankind's greatest environmental challenges, but it is also perhaps the one that is the least known. Every day we use and rely on services provided by satellites without ever realizing how vulnerable they are. It's not just that satellites can be damaged or destroyed by space debris today or tomorrow, it's that the actions of our generation may affect the dreams and ambitions of future generations to work and live in space,” Lewis said.

For these reasons, it is extremely necessary that we continue to explore space in a more environmentally conscious way.