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NASA identified space debris risks in the 1970s when Delta rocket explosions created shrapnel clouds. These incidents have multiplied, highlighting the urgent need to manage debris before it becomes uncontrollable.
Millions of man-made debris & naturally occurring micrometeoroids orbit in and around Earth’s space environment (Picture source: Nasa.gov)
UPDATED: Dec 27, 2024 23:15 IST
Space is on the brink of a catastrophic event known as Kessler Syndrome. Overflowing with spent rockets, defunct satellites, and other space trash, the cosmic junkyard has grown uncontrollably with fast increasing chances of a catastrophic debris collision.
Proposed by NASA scientist Donald Kessler, Kessler Syndrome describes a chain reaction where collisions between space debris generate more fragments, leading to further collisions. Known as "collisional cascading," this phenomenon could make certain orbits unusable. The cascading effect highlights the importance of managing space debris to ensure safe and sustainable space operations for future generations.
Since the first space flight in 1957, there have been more than 650 “break-ups, explosions, collisions, or anomalous events resulting in fragmentation,” according to the European Space Agency.
According to a report of the Space Station (ISS), which regularly performs maneuvers to avoid spatial collisions, as recently as this November, a potential disaster was avoided when a Russian spacecraft managed to adjust the station's trajectory to dodge debris that could have passed within 2.5 miles of its path.
The number of objects in orbit has increased exponentially in recent years due to satellite launches, rocket explosions, and weapons tests. This congestion poses risks to satellites and essential technologies like GPS and broadband, reports CNN.
NASA became aware of this threat in the 1970s when derelict Delta rockets left in orbit began exploding, producing dangerous clouds of shrapnel. These early events underscored the risks of leaving spent objects in space. Such incidents have since multiplied, emphasizing the urgency of addressing space debris before it escalates beyond control.
Kessler demonstrated that once the debris in a particular orbit reaches critical mass, collisional cascading becomes inevitable—even if no new objects are launched into that orbit. This highlights a tipping point where the natural dynamics of space debris make collision risks self-sustaining, endangering any future missions in that orbit.
As collisional cascading progresses, the risk to satellites and spacecraft in affected orbits increases exponentially. This not only threatens existing infrastructure but could also hinder future space exploration and research. Ultimately, such orbits may become permanently unusable, disrupting critical services and making space management a pressing global concern.
Published By:
indiatodayglobal
Published On:
Dec 27, 2024
