Removing 50 Objects from Orbit Would Cut Danger From Space Junk in Half, Study Finds
SYDNEY, Australia - Removing the top 50 pieces of space debris in low-Earth orbit would cut the overall debris-generating potential by half, according to a study presented at the International Astronautical Congress here Friday.
Lead author Darren McKnight, a researcher from the University of California, Los Angeles, calculated that these objects are most likely to collide with other fragments and create more debris. The top 50 objects include 34 pieces from Russia and the Soviet Union, followed by China with 10, the United States with three, Europe with two, and Japan with one.
McKnight noted that even removing just the top 10 objects would reduce the debris-generating potential by 30 percent. "The things left before 2000 are still the majority of the problem," he said. "76 of the objects in the top 50 were deposited last century."
The study found that 88 of the objects are post-mission rocket bodies left behind to hurtle through space. Since January 1, 2024, China has launched 21 hazardous new rocket bodies into low-Earth orbit, each averaging more than 4 metric tons (8,800 pounds). The United States contributed two additional rocket bodies.
The study's findings have significant implications for the global community, as space debris poses a growing threat to operational satellites and spacecraft. "The bad news is, since January 1, 2024, we've had 26 rocket bodies abandoned in low-Earth orbit that will stay in orbit for more than 25 years," McKnight said.
International cooperation is essential to addressing the issue of space debris, experts say. The European Space Agency has implemented guidelines for responsible satellite operations and disposal, while the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) has established a working group on space debris mitigation.
The study's results come as the global space community is increasingly aware of the need to address space debris. In 2019, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimated that there are over 500,000 pieces of debris in Earth's orbit, ranging from small fragments to entire satellites.
McKnight emphasized that removing the top 50 objects would be a significant step towards mitigating the problem. "It's not just about removing these objects," he said. "It's also about changing our behavior and reducing the amount of debris we generate in the first place."
The study's findings have sparked renewed calls for international cooperation on space debris mitigation. As the global space community continues to grow, addressing this critical issue will be essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of space exploration.
Background:
Space debris has become a growing concern for the global space community. In 2020, a Chinese rocket body re-entered Earth's atmosphere and crashed into the Indian Ocean, sparking fears about the potential for damage to operational satellites and spacecraft.
The issue of space debris is not limited to China or any single country. The European Space Agency has reported that over 50 percent of all space debris in low-Earth orbit is from Russia and the Soviet Union.
Additional perspectives:
Dr. Maria Zuber, a planetary scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, noted that removing the top 50 objects would be a significant step towards mitigating the problem. "It's not just about removing these objects," she said. "It's also about changing our behavior and reducing the amount of debris we generate in the first place."
Dr. Zuber emphasized the importance of international cooperation on space debris mitigation. "We need to work together as a global community to address this issue," she said.
Current status:
The study's findings have sparked renewed calls for international cooperation on space debris mitigation. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) has established a working group on space debris mitigation, and several countries are implementing guidelines for responsible satellite operations and disposal.
Next developments:
As the global space community continues to grow, addressing the issue of space debris will be essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of space exploration. The study's findings highlight the need for international cooperation and responsible behavior in space operations.
*Reporting by Science.*
