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 »

Extension

The global interest in space has resulted in more companies and organizations proposing methods of space exploration that neglect consideration of maneuvering around space debris. Debris incapacitates spacecraft unprepared to avoid it, and to combat debris and prevent it from clouding our atmosphere with undetectable shards of artificial materials. To prevent it from destroying valuable space technology, action must be taken using a combination of active debris removal systems and technology systems. Some of the systems in this review are more effective for different types of debris or in combination with other systems. No one system described here will effectively work independently of all other systems to remove debris, and there is still progress to be made in the development of more debris removal strategies. Action must be taken soon, but technological systems and physical systems can continue to develop as current strategies are tested.