Space Debris | ISU Space Conference

Most important Space issue currently

Hey Explorers,

Lets talk about one of the most important space issue of this era; Space junk & overcrowding of orbits.

Recently I attended the International Space Conference on Space Debris by International Space University.

It's called the ISU 2022 Adelaide Conference. 

The two day conference was focused on Space junk & increasing number of satellites in the orbit.

As per NASA there are 27,000 pieces of space debris or space junk in Earth's orbit; Moreover, these debris includes natural meteoroids and artificial orbital debris. 

More than 23,000 of these debris are larger than softball in size that travels at speeds up-to 17,500 mph; enough to damage any satellite or spacecraft.

There are half a million space debris with a size of up-to 1cm. 

& around 100 million with a size of 0.4 inch or less.

Even a tiny particle can damage a spacecraft when traveling at these speeds. A number of space shuttle windows were replaced due to this. Many satellites were damaged due to collision with debris; further increasing the number of junk in the orbit.

A visuals of Earth with Space debris in orbits.

To tackle this we now have number of organisations including startups working on tracking down the positions of debris in the orbit.

Adding to that, now most of satellites & every spacecraft have sensors onboard that can detect debris in its path & maneuver itself to avoid the collision.

Recently ISS was maneuvered & was re-positioned to avoid collisions with debris.

There are several ways to detect these trackable debris, lets see whats on ISS.

In space, specially when we have crew; the only priority is safety. And therefore ISS has one of the most advance systems to detect these dangerous pieces of space junk.

ISS uses SDS (Space Debris Sensor) to trace debris. SDS can detect objects sizing from 0.5mm to 5mm. This is sounding quite small but a particle of size less than 1cm travelling at more than 17,500 mph can easily penetrate through station's multi layer thick glass windows, causing an emergency. 

Objects larger than 3mm are tracked by ODPO (Orbital Debris Program Office); this is NASA's official office to track space junk, it uses ORDEM (Orbital Debris Engineering Model)  & DAS (Debris Assessment Software). 

Once a potential threat is tracked, ISS maneuvers itself using Progress spacecraft or the Russian Zvezda Service Module; which has special thrusters to keep the station in desired orbit.

Fun Fact - As per NASA any visiting vehicle docked with the station carrying extra fuel can maneuver ISS. SpaceX's Dragon can also do that.  

No. of increasing satellites (no-active) is one more issue that Space industry is facing, many national & international space organisations & startups are working towards solving this.

Space industry now has companies like Sumitomo Forestry, it is developing wooden satellites in collaboration with Koyoto university. This satellites will burn completely while de-orbiting. 

Additionally, there are several startups that are working actively to solve 'The derbi problem':

OrbitGuardians - Using AI and IoT they develop affordable debris removal systems.

Clear Space - Develops small satellites to find and capture debris.

Astro Scale - Uses EOL (End of Life) & ADR (Active Debris Removal) to detect and remove debris.

Digantara - Active Orbital Surveillance Platform - this is game changer for the industry, Digantara will provide high resolution and accurate position of debris including those which are untraceable until now. Its nano-satellite constellation will deliver live position of debris, plus they have these cool dynamic weather sensors that provides data about real-time weather

(For every launch, weather conditions plays an important role). 

Once active in operation this constellation will help every other player in the space industry for several operation.

A launch service provider needs debris location to protect spacecraft, 

Satellite companies need debris location for prevention of collision,

Debris removing companies also needs its real-time accurate positions.

I appreciate their vision and the immense contribution they will have once this constellation is operational. (More about them in the end)

Also Space Debris are great problem for astronomers and astrophysicists as they block a clear view of the deep space! 

Space is open for everyone, 

There was a time when only Government bodies were sending satellites & spacecrafts to space, then came the time for private firms, & now is the time for students to put their payloads in space.

Space debris is an important problem & we are on to solve it in the best way possible; Because Space is for everyone. 

I have been learning about Quantum mechanics and computing for quite a time now, & will have a super interesting blog on the site very soon, Stay tune & crazy :) 

Connect with me:) Click here - Sahil Parmar

Thanks | Gratitude

Share your views with me in comment section & the contact form :) 

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This blog is not promoting any company or product.

I appreciate Digantara's vision for what they are creating which is much needed in the space industry. Also I and its founders are from the same university, so its a gratitude; thanks for staring such an amazing imperative startup!

We have a GO for launching beyond the Sky!

Coz Sky is the Lower limit :)

Share your views with me in comment section & the contact form :) 

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