SUMMARY
- European Space Agency reports a collision between space debris remnants.
- ClearSpace-1 mission, designed for active debris removal, faces unpredictability.
- Brian Weeden stresses the imperative need for better tracking and debris clean-up.
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In a rather intriguing twist, the European Space Agency has just disclosed that a piece of space debris, a remnant from Arianespace’s 2013 Vega rocket, was hit by another piece of space trash.
This was all the more ironic because this particular debris was actually the target of the ClearSpace-1 mission, aiming to pioneer "active debris removal." This initiative involves a spacecraft, equipped with robotic arms, developed by Swiss startup ClearSpace. Notably, ESA, OTB Ventures, and In-Q-Tel back this venture.
On another front, NASA and SpaceX are gearing up for the Crew-7 astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). However, the ISS is currently facing the threat of space debris, with discussions ongoing about possibly altering its altitude. While the issue of space debris isn’t new, its growing significance cannot be ignored. Brian Weeden from the Secure World Foundation highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that small debris pieces are hard to track, making them unpredictable and challenging to avoid.
To monitor satellites and space debris, various nations use ground-based radars and telescopes. The U.S. military boasts a comprehensive catalog, with nations like Europe, Russia, and China having their own systems. Additionally, companies are delving into commercial tracking services. Despite these efforts, Weeden believes there's much room for improvement.
The concept of debris removal is gradually becoming an integral part of the satellite servicing market. However, challenges persist. Notably, no entity, be it a company or a government, has ever staked a claim on damages incurred due to a space collision. Weeden throws light on an essential aspect, questioning how governments can be motivated to clean their orbital mess. He envisions a potential solution through government-funded research and development competitions.
On the financial front, it’s clear this venture will require substantial investment. Weeden hints at the need for billions. Whether governments will rise to the occasion remains to be seen.
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