How scientists are tackling the growing space junk problem

By Isobel Williams via SWNS

Planning has begun to clear up all our junk in space to make sure satellites can continue to work safely.

This space litter is the build-up of discarded satellite parts, rocket remnants, and other fragments of debris.

This fast-expanding amount of clutter in space causes severe hazards for our satellite infrastructure.

The University of Warwick astronomers are using telescopic observations to track space debris 36,000 kilometers above the equator where satellites operate.

They analyze the junk, and predict their trajectories, enhancing awareness of the risks posed to operational satellites.

The University's Centre for Space Domain Awareness (CSDA), is a collaboration of scholars exploring sustainability in the near-Earth environment.

The group's astronomers employ telescopic observations to track space debris, analyze their characteristics, and predict their trajectories, enhancing awareness of the risks posed to operational satellites.

Using data from observations in La Palma, Canary Islands they conduct deep surveys targeting the geosynchronous region, approximately 36,000 kilometers above the Equator, where satellites occupy specific orbital slots synchronized with Earth's rotation.

They also monitor objects in low Earth orbit, where artificial debris densely populates the space environment.

Dr. James Blake said: “Space debris encircling Earth originates from various sources: satellites transitioning to debris post-mission, abandoned rockets undergoing orbital explosions after prolonged periods, collisions generating clouds of fragments, and the harsh space environment causing satellite deterioration, shedding insulation and paint.

“These remnants hurtle at incredible speeds, covering kilometers every second. Even very small objects can cause mission-fatal damage to operational satellites, leading to disruptions both in space and on the Earth.

“Detecting debris remains a huge challenge for ground-based surveillance systems due to the intrinsic faintness of the objects, indeed the vast majority of dangerous debris remains invisible to us.”

However, clearing this debris will not be an easy task and the team could risk making the problem worse by trying to tackle it.

Dr. Blake added: “Innovative initiatives exploring satellite recycling and debris removal in space are under development.

“However, such missions, involving close proximity or docking with the target objects, carry inherent risks of inadvertently generating more debris.

"Vigilant monitoring of these missions is crucial to mitigate unforeseen incidents.

“At such proximities, distinguishing between the target and servicer spacecraft becomes exceptionally challenging due to their small angular separation.

"Many observational challenges persist, and we are working hard to identify and develop the best tools and techniques for the job.”