Experts warn of unsafe low Earth orbit due to increasing satellites and debris, urgent need for cooperation.
From Investing.com: 2024-12-01 19:11:42
Experts and industry insiders warn that the rapid increase in satellites and space junk is making low Earth orbit unsafe. Urgent cooperation and data sharing are needed to manage the congestion of over 14,000 satellites and 120 million pieces of debris. Without action, the risk of collisions poses a threat to global communication and scientific exploration.
A United Nations panel calls for a comprehensive shared database and international framework to track and manage orbital objects. The lack of a centralized system and reluctance to share data pose challenges. Recent incidents, such as a Chinese rocket explosion adding debris, highlight the immediate need for space traffic coordination to prevent costly disruptions.
With projections of tens of thousands more satellites entering orbit, the potential financial risk of collisions is estimated to be $556 million over five years. The need for regulations and structure to monitor and manage congestion is critical. Companies like Starlink are launching thousands of satellites per year, pushing the capacity of prime orbits to the limit.
SpaceX’s Starlink satellites perform thousands of collision-avoidance manoeuvres, underscoring the density of low Earth orbit. The European Space Agency also reports increased manoeuvres to avoid collisions. Russia’s missile test on a defunct satellite created thousands of debris fragments, highlighting the growing risks of conflicts extending into space.
Global cooperation is essential to develop enforceable rules for space traffic, akin to those used for air traffic. Existing tools like databases, telescopes, radars, and sensors can help track objects and improve early detection. However, geopolitical tensions, reluctance to share data, and commercial concerns remain significant barriers to effective space traffic coordination.
Read more at Investing.com: Analysis-Global push for cooperation as space traffic crowds Earth orbit By Reuters