99% of space junk is undetectable it can change soon

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99% of space junk is undetectable because it’s too small or too far away to see. Only objects larger than a softball can be tracked with radar or optical systems. This accounts for less than 1% of the nearly 170 million pieces of space junk. 

Space junk includes: Discarded rocket parts, Paint flecks, Defunct satellites, Spacewalks, Rocket launches. 

Space junk can collide with each other, breaking larger pieces into smaller, undetectable pieces. This makes it harder to protect satellites. 

A new technique is being developed to resolve space junk to pieces smaller than one millimeter in diameter.

That Could Change Soon. Private and military organizations are tracking some of the 170 million pieces of space junk orbiting the planet, but they’re limited to how small an object they can detect

Space junk, also known as orbital debris, poses a threat to future space exploration. It can make it difficult for new satellites and spacecraft to launch and operate in low Earth orbit. Space junk can also threaten crewed missions and the International Space Station (ISS

Space junk can cause significant damage or complete destruction to operational satellites. A collision between space junk or with an active satellite could be devastating. These pieces of debris travel several times faster than a bullet. 

The risk of collision increases with the growing number of satellites in orbit. It has been theorized that Earth orbit could even become impassable if the risk of collision grows too high

Because they’re expensive to remove, retired satellites are often left in a low-Earth orbit, where their presence poses a growing threat to both future satellite launches and crewed space missions, according to NASA

Space debris can damage or destroy satellites, robotic missions, human spaceflight, and spacecraft. A collision with a piece of space debris could release harmful chemicals or radiation into the cabin

The Kessler Syndrome is a phenomenon where a thick cloud of tiny particles surrounds the Earth, preventing all future spaceflight. This could happen if a large collision of spacecraft leads to a cascade effect

Collisions with debris have become a hazard to spacecraft; the smallest objects cause damage akin to sandblasting, especially to solar panels and optics like telescopes or star trackers that cannot easily be protected by a ballistic shield.

Space debris is any human-made object that is no longer functional and is orbiting Earth. It can also be defined as any non-functional object that is re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Space debris can range in size from paint chips to rocket stages

Some types of space debris include: 

  • Payload: Satellites and fragments from collisions and wear and tear 
  • Rockets: Stages used to propel missions in orbit 
  • Mission-related objects: Tools, screws, cables, and cameras 
  • Debris from missiles: Bits and pieces from missiles 
  • Astronaut detritus: Objects left behind by astronauts 

Space debris can have a negative impact on the environment. It can release chemicals into the atmosphere, which can contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer.

Space junk is currently detected by looking for objects that reflect radar signals or light. The current methods for detecting small space debris include: 

  • Radar systems 
  • Optical telescopes 
  • Data fusion algorithms 
  • Ground-based radar and telescopes 
  • Passive space based systems 
  • Examining the surfaces of returned spacecraft 

These methods can detect debris of smaller sizes. However, the precise location of debris is unknown

The Space Debris Identification and Tracking (SINTRA) project is developing a new technique to detect space junk. The project uses sensors to detect plasma waves created by debris fields. The technique can resolve space junk to pieces smaller than one millimeter in diameter. 

Here are some current methods for detecting space debris: 

  • Radar systems: Used to characterize space debris in low Earth orbit (LEO) 
  • Optical telescopes: Used to detect debris in more distant orbital regions 
  • Data fusion algorithms: Used to detect and characterize small space debris 
  • FM radio waves: Can detect debris by reflecting off of it and onto a receiver 

NASA uses the following radars to track space debris: 

  • Haystack: Used to track centimeter-sized orbital debris 
  • HAX: Used to track centimeter-sized orbital debris 
  • Haystack Ultrawideband Satellite Imaging Radar (HUSIR): Used to track debris in the size range of approximately 5 mm to 30 cm 

There are around 23,000 objects larger than 10 cm and about 100 million pieces of debris larger than 1 mm. The debris can move at 15,000 mph, which is 10 times faster than a bullet

Some ways to reduce the growth rate of space debris include: 

  • Preventing in-orbit explosions 
  • Avoiding collisions 
  • Removing objects that could cause collisions 

Some technologies that have been developed to clean up space junk include: 

  • Ground laser nudges 
  • Space tugs 
  • Space lasers 
  • ClearSpace-1

Here are some inventions for cleaning up space junk: 

  • ClearSpace-1: A “space claw” that will capture and dispose of space junk. It’s scheduled to launch in 2025. 
  • ADRV: A solution for removing large debris from low Earth orbit. 
  • ELSA-d: A mission by Astroscale, a Japan-based company. 
  • Spinnaker3: A drag sail that helps deorbit its own launch vehicle. 
  • CubeSats: A fleet of solar-propelled CubeSats that could conduct long-term missions. 

Other inventions include: 

  • Ground laser nudges 
  • Space tugs 
  • Space lasers 
  • Laser Orbital Debris Removal (LODR) 
  • Controlled deorbiting of satellites 
  • Active debris removal missions

Yes, space junk can be reused. Recycling and reusing space junk could have a net value of $570 billion to $1.2 trillion. 

Here are some ways to reuse space junk: 

  • Repair, repurpose, or recycle This can be done at a facility in Earth’s orbit. The recycled junk can be used to build spacecraft or exploration outposts. 
  • Use multiple-use apparatuses SpaceX has shown that it’s possible to send up multiple-use apparatuses, such as its Falcon rockets. 

The European Space Agency (ESA) is developing a plan to make recycling in space a reality. The ESA’s goal is to become space debris-neutral by 2030(full article source google)

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