Conclusion
Author
Isabelle Jacobson
PHYS F211X F06, Fall 2018
Professor David Newman
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Space Debris Removal Systems

Space debris low in Earth's orbit has become a significant threat to current and future spacecraft missions.

  • Space debris can collide with and damage spacecraft.
  • These collisions contribute to the cascade effect of space debris.
  • As a result, space debris has become smaller and harder to detect by current systems.

If you are interested in learning about possible methods for active debris removal and technological methods of detecting and avoiding debris, continue reading »

Discussion

Those in the space science field may already be aware of and advocate for one or more of the previously reviewed strategies for space debris removal, but in order to attract the general public’s attention (and funding), the projects need to be linked to the current climate change movements. If support of conservation projects and removal of terrestrial pollution (terrestrial and oceanic environmentalism) is extended to the conservation of Earth’s upper atmosphere and lower orbit, then there will be an observable decrease in orbital debris. The debris will be quickly removed if the current social climate for change is utilized to garner more concern around the topic of space debris and attract funding to develop the technologies necessary to effectively remove the debris.