Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: RAND

Moving day in space has a “you-haul” feel to it.

But is there a business in removing space junk from Earth orbit? Numbers of groups are coming up with concepts on grappling with worrisome debris. Nonetheless, estimates of how much troublesome litter – from huge chunks of space scrap to tiny paint chips and even radioactive particles – are daunting and tricky projections.

Photo illustration by Thomas Gaulkin for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ January 2022 issue (used with permission)

Leftover litter

When a satellite receives a come-to-blows punch by leftover litter or an explosion occurs in Earth orbit, particularly at higher altitudes, the detrimental results are additive. The debris resulting from these high-speed happenings lingers for years, decades, even centuries.

Netting of orbital debris has been studied, among a number of space junk-snatching ideas.
Image credit: ESA/D.Ducros

There’s no doubt about it. Earth orbit is a messy place.

For more information, go to my new Space.com story — “Taking out the trash: Here’s how private companies could be vital for space debris removal – To keep a watchful, more-informed eye on orbital debris, much better approaches are needed” – at:

https://www.space.com/space-debris-taking-out-the-trash