Space Junk Collision

[Makuser]

In March, the U.S. Space Force's 18th Space Control Squadron (18SPCS) reported the breakup of Chinese Yunhai 1-02. It was unclear at the time whether the spacecraft had suffered some sort of failure — an explosion in its propulsion system, perhaps — or if it had collided with something in orbit. We now know that the latter explanation is correct, thanks to some sleuthing by astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell, who's based at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. You can read the entire report here and see an interesting artist's concept depicting the near-Earth orbital debris field based on NASA's orbital data here, at:
https://www.space.com/space-junk-collis ... unhai-1-02

[KingNothing13]

Yikes - that's a terrifying about of junk/garbage just floating around.

Surprised this hasn't happened more often.

[smp]

Thanks very much, Marshall! That was a great description of what happened in this case, and an excellent effort to determine this by Mr. McDowell.

smp

[GCoyote]

I wonder if this will create more impetus to try one of the proposed debris removal and deorbiting ideas that have been floated over the years.

[Juno16]

Thanks for the link Marshall!

Very interesting and very concerning.

[Ylem]

Simply amazing the amount of stuff up there.

[helicon]

Sometimes I wonder when I see lights crossing the eyepiece field of view whether they are satellites or space junk. Probably both!

[Lariliss]

The debris danger is common awareness, which is always one of the leverages.

Today engineering is mature, tested with numerous designs and flights. So that we can plan realistic and bald missions, including sending numerous facilities in short timelines without unnecessary too much of reinsurance and redundancy verifications.

I believe, in the near future, it will be harder to launch anything to space, regardless of the amount of money. New international cooperation levels and regulations will come.

The Center for Orbital and Reentry Debris Studies (CORDS) is known for monitoring the issues of space debris and space traffic management (including the latest one Long March 5B).

There are many questions in front of active space companies, including: satellites control with AI, debris removal technologies for new launches, creating ‘traffic rules’ on the orbit.

There is no current overall picture of what is an impact of the debris entering the Earth atmosphere. Mostly, the particles stay in the higher layers.

Data is being manipulated or giving not enough explanation every time. Even mathematically, the trend with current spike may not be predicted correctly.

Mega-constellation operators and their regulators could respond that they are exercising the right to explore and use space without discrimination, however, the use of slots in geostationary orbit is mediated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which does not play the same role in LEO.

However, new analysis methods could mitigate some of these effects, but data loss is inevitable, increasing the time needed for each study and limiting the overall amount of science done.

The facts imply urgency. Today actions on the debris removal gets more awareness and action:

- Space X announces debris removal trials (‘chopsticks’);

- NASA & ESA making partnership for the surveillance and debris removal programs;
- Other national and private companies are announcing their missions.

I am looking forward to such orchestration deployed for Earth surveillance and it’s citizens' urgent issues.

These goals are set for bringing space launch to a new level to leverage the traffic demand and sustain the market.

[Arsene37]

…
I believe, in the near future, it will be harder to launch anything to space, regardless of the amount of money. New international cooperation levels and regulations will come.…

Regarding the freedom to launch anything (e.g. electric cars towards Mars —btw, when will it return ?), I am very skeptical !

[pakarinen]

Yikes - that's a terrifying about of junk/garbage just floating around.

Surprising that UFO pilots are able to navigate through the mess.

[Lariliss]

Yikes - that's a terrifying about of junk/garbage just floating around.

Surprising that UFO pilots are able to navigate through the mess.

Most electric cars on earth rely on lithium-ion batteries.
Mars rovers have different approaches.

The 11.5 kilograms Sojourner generated electricity using solar arrays, with a set of three small, non rechargeable lithium-thionyl chloride batteries serving as backup.

Both are going through remarkable revolution with speed and number of scientific facilities load on Mars, no time and sense sending anything back:)
Being serious, Mars needs to go a long road of exploration for surface geology, meteor activities. I did'n encounter any specific information of sending back any facilities.
We load Mars with instruments for exploration. Hopefully, our technology of space flight and scientific vehicles will be mature enough not to leave a lot of debris there.