Falling from Above: The Growing Threat of Space Debris

Human made debris in space is falling back to Earth.
4,300 tons of space debris orbit the planet and some pieces have already fallen to the ground.
Experts warn: larger amounts of debris will fall in the future and if that is not enough the transformation of space into a landfill and tens of thousands of launches per year will lead to a critical mass of debris that could prevent leaving Earth in the coming years.

At the end of December, in Kenya, people that looked at the sky noticed something weird: glow red ring made its way to the ground.
Moments later, a half ton piece of metal collided heavily with the nearby brush, leaving them stunned. These were not aliens landing on Earth, but estimates suggest a piece of space debris that miraculously “decided” to land in an areas that wont harm anyone.

Last year, a large fragment from a Chinese space mission fell over Southern California in Florida, a piece of debris from the International Space Station landed on a small building; and several large fragments of a SpaceX capsule were found on a farm in Canada.
These are rare cases, but experts warn: humanity is on the path to facing a much larger accumulation of debris, which could become increasingly dangerous.

That same space debris could block future access to space.
Space is a valuable resource.
Satellites and objects launched into space are used for communication, navigation, weather and climate observation, experiments, material production and disaster monitoring.
When these objects malfunction or finish their missions, they remain in orbit, accumulating as debris. This includes screws, paint chips the size of sand grains, metals and even toxins released from the spacecraft.

The amount of debris in orbit around Earth is increasing rapidly.
European Space Agency (ESA) estimates there are more than 40,000 large pieces over 10 cm in orbit and more than 13 million smaller than 1 cm.
The total mass of human-made objects in Earth orbit is about 13,000 tons and about one third of it is debris (4,300 tons), mostly rocket bodies.
This may be only a partial estimate.

Not all space debris is trackable.
Here is one example of a satellite that became a debris problem: in June, RESURS-P1 satellite broke 470 km in Earth orbit, producing trackable debris pieces. Estimates suggest that even more debris pieces were created that were too small to track, smaller than a tennis ball.
Most space launches have become debris: out of more than 56,000 objects humanity has sent into space, only 8% are active satellites.

“Space debris consists of remnants of rockets and satellites launched into space that are no longer in use.
They can orbit for decades or centuries, at altitudes of 400–600 km and higher, polluting Earth’s environment,” explains a space expert.
“This is not harmful, even if some parts are toxic.
But when they burn at relatively low altitudes, they produce toxic byproducts like aluminum oxides in the atmosphere, which remain there indefinitely.
This does not benefit human health and some debris could reach the ground, although most burns up in the atmosphere.

” During 60 years of space activity, more than 6,050 launches have resulted in about 56,450 objects in Earth orbit.
Today, only 8% are active satellites; the rest is debris.
This is not just another example of humans polluting large areas, but a significant issue that could disrupt space operations and affect Earth’s activities.
“Debris interferes with satellite transmissions and space launches and increases the risk of collisions,” the expert explains.
“Once, collisions between a satellite and space debris were rare today, they are not.

A few years ago, there were only about 2,000 active satellites.
Today, there are roughly 14,000. Each collision produces fragments, creating a chain reaction more collisions, more debris.
Within a decade, space could become so polluted that leaving Earth would risk collision.
” The expert warns about losing control over debris: “These pieces move at tremendous speeds.
Even a small dust particle or paint fragment from a rocket can puncture a satellite or spacecraft and disrupt operations.

Space agencies track all parts and can predict their positions and issue warnings.
Small satellites cannot avoid debris easily, but larger satellites can maneuver.
As launches increase into the tens of thousands, collisions will multiply, increasing debris before it reaches Earth.
Controlled launches reduce this significantly but cannot prevent all accidents.
This problem will grow.
” Current enforcement is weak only a symbolic fine has been imposed for space debris in the U.S.
Even if debris falling on Earth is rare and communication satellites continue to function normally, the increasing amount of launches raises concern. Some solutions already exist, such as directing rocket stages to fall into the sea.

Technological innovations can allow reusable rockets, reducing debris. Although space seems like a free for all, attempts to regulate it exist but remain weak.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 requires signatory states to avoid harmful pollution of space.
The Liability Convention extends responsibility to launch states for damages caused by space objects. UN guidelines adopted in 2007 recommend ways to reduce debris.
More detailed regulation and stronger enforcement mechanisms are needed.