As we gaze at the night sky, we might imagine it as a clear, empty expanse, but the reality is that Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is dangerously crowded. Thousands of satellites, both operational and inactive, along with millions of small pieces of debris, orbit Earth at extremely high speeds. This "space junk" has become a pressing global security and environmental problem, threatening to cripple the vital infrastructure we rely on daily for communication, navigation, and weather forecasting.
Scientific risk analysis points to a terrifying scenario known as Kessler Syndrome. According to this model, the density of objects in space will one day become so high that a single accidental collision between two pieces will generate a cloud of debris, which will then collide with other satellites, creating a chain reaction. This interaction could render LEO unusable for decades, potentially isolating humanity from space. The 2009 collision between the Iridium communications satellite and the Russian military satellite Cosmos served as an early warning, but the risk of collisions increases dramatically with the launch of private "spacecraft" and satellite internet networks like Starlink.
The main reason for this problem is the rapid technological development and relative affordability of launching small satellites (Cubesats). SpaceX's Starlink network stands out as a prime example. By launching thousands of satellites, the company aims to provide high-speed internet everywhere, but proponents point out that these satellites occupy large orbital areas, making collisions more likely. Furthermore, the emissions from the solid fuel used in rocket engines pollute the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.
Proposed solutions are varied, but they require unprecedented international cooperation. Intellectually, there is a push to develop "active debris removal" services. Japanese and European companies, such as Astroscale, are experimenting with technologies like robotic arms or nets to capture old debris and bring it down into the atmosphere to burn up. Other technologies are exploring the use of lasers to slow debris and guide it into low Earth orbit where it will burn up.
But technology alone is not enough; the problem is primarily legal. Who owns space debris? Do you have the right to remove a foreign satellite without the country's permission? Currently, there is no binding international treaty to protect and keep space clean, unlike the oceans, which have such treaties. The international community, under the auspices of the United Nations, is trying to establish a "space traffic management framework," but progress is far too slow compared to the rate of pollution.
From a sustainability perspective, we need to shift from a "launch and forget" model to a "launch, service, and remove" model. Satellites should be designed to decompose in the atmosphere at the end of their operational life or equipped with engines to propel them toward an "orbital graveyard" where they pose no threat to active satellites. Companies sometimes refuse these additional costs unless legally mandated.
Space debris is the classic scenario of the "Tragedy of the Commons." Space belongs to everyone, and if it is misused, everyone will lose it. Access to space is no longer a luxury; it has become a necessity for daily life. Saving Earth's orbit requires the combined efforts of governments, private companies, and scientists to prevent the nightmare that could close our skies and turn humanity's space exploration into a cloud of falling debris.
