Space Debris Threatens Global Safety: How to Mitigate the Risk

As she gazed out the window of her plane, Emily couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The thought of tiny pieces of space junk hurtling through the atmosphere, potentially threatening her safety, was a constant worry for her. It's a concern that's shared by millions of people around the world, and one that's becoming increasingly pressing as the number of satellites and other space debris in orbit continues to grow. The European Space Agency estimates that three pieces of old space equipment, used rockets, and defunct satellites fall into Earth's atmosphere every day. While the risk of flights being hit by space junk is still small, it's growing, and by the mid-2030s, there may be dozens of pieces of debris in orbit. So far, space debris hasn't injured anyone in the air or on the ground, but multiple close calls have been reported in recent years. One such incident occurred in 2019, when a piece of a Chinese rocket re-entered the Earth's atmosphere and landed in the Indian Ocean. While it narrowly missed several populated islands, it highlighted the potential risks of space debris. Another close call happened in 2020, when a defunct satellite from the 1990s re-entered the atmosphere and landed in the Atlantic Ocean, just a few hundred miles off the coast of the United States. The risks of space debris aren't just limited to flights. According to some estimates, the risk of a single human death or injury caused by a space debris strike on the ground could be as high as 10 per year by 2035. That would mean a better than even chance that someone on Earth would be hit by space junk about every decade. But what can be done to mitigate this risk? One potential solution is to develop more effective tracking systems for space debris. Currently, there are several organizations and companies working on this issue, including the European Space Agency and the private company, LeoLabs. These organizations are using a combination of ground-based radar and satellite-based systems to track the movement of space debris in orbit. Another potential solution is to develop more sustainable practices for launching satellites and other space equipment into orbit. This could involve using reusable rockets, which would reduce the amount of debris left in orbit after a launch. It could also involve designing satellites that are more easily de-orbited at the end of their lifespan, rather than being left to drift in orbit. But despite these efforts, the issue of space debris remains a complex and pressing problem. As the number of satellites and other space equipment in orbit continues to grow, the risk of collisions and other incidents will only increase. It's a problem that will require a coordinated effort from governments, companies, and individuals around the world to solve. For Emily, the issue of space debris is personal. As a frequent flyer, she's concerned about the risks of space junk to her safety. But she's also aware of the broader implications of this issue. "I think it's really important for people to understand the risks of space debris," she says. "It's not just a problem for astronauts or people in space, it's a problem for all of us on the ground." As the world looks to the stars for inspiration and innovation, it's essential that we also take a closer look at the risks and challenges associated with space exploration. The issue of space debris is just one of many pressing problems that we'll need to address as we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in space. In the end, it's not just a matter of mitigating the risks of space debris, but also of ensuring that our pursuit of space exploration is sustainable and responsible. As we look to the future, it's essential that we prioritize the safety and well-being of both people on the ground and those in space.