There’s a Speeding Mass of Space Junk Orbiting Earth, Smashing Into Things

[Dashinka 24,831]

A new business opportunity for Elon?

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-need-satellitesa-speeding-mass-of-space-junk-puts-them-at-risk-1505226427

 

By Robert Lee Hotz

 

Earlier this year, a single rocket launched from India flung 104 small satellites into space. A second Indian effort in June put another 30 into orbit, each roughly the size of a coffee can. In July, a Russian rocket scattered 72 more satellites around Earth, like pebbles strewn from a speeding car. These swarms of small satellites—hard to track and hard to dodge—increase the risk of collision for the world’s vital communication, navigation and defense satellites.Within a few years there might be another 20,000 or so small craft launched into a narrow band of space around Earth, more than 10 times the number of all working satellites in orbit today. The growth is spurred by advances in miniaturization, low-cost electronics and rocketry. Companies, space agencies, universities and even elementary-school students are jockeying for position. The traffic jam heightens the hazards of junk encircling Earth. The U.S. Air Force tracks 23,000 objects in orbit the size of a baseball or larger—most of it derelict rocket parts, decommissioned spacecraft or wreckage. Aerospace experts said there may be millions more hazardous splinters too small to track.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

I read an article about space trash a few years ago.  One wouldn't think it would be an issue.  "Big sky, little bullet" concept and all.  But I guess it is.  Some of it literally trash... gloves, boots, parts off of satellites, debris from satellite collisions.  I mean, it's not like it's gonna get picked up or end up someplace "safe".  

[Dashinka 24,831]

2 hours ago, IDWAF said:

I read an article about space trash a few years ago.  One wouldn't think it would be an issue.  "Big sky, little bullet" concept and all.  But I guess it is.  Some of it literally trash... gloves, boots, parts off of satellites, debris from satellite collisions.  I mean, it's not like it's gonna get picked up or end up someplace "safe".  

Yeah, I don't think it is a big issue for earth re-entry or anything, but with all this stuff whizzing around at fairly large speeds, it can really do some damage to functional satellites, or other vital equipment up there.