Fahad Alharbi’s Post

Keeping track of objects in Earth's orbit can be challenging, as demonstrated by the rediscovery of an experimental satellite launched in 1974. The Infra-Red Calibration Balloon (S73-7) satellite, part of the United States Air Force’s Space Test Program, disappeared from sensors in the 1990s but was recently found again. This highlights the difficulty of monitoring the thousands of objects in space, especially as Earth's orbit becomes increasingly crowded with satellites and debris. Ground-based radar and optical sensors play a crucial role in tracking these objects, resembling an "air traffic control" system for space. As space activities grow, accurate tracking becomes more critical to ensure safety and avoid potential hazards in orbit. https://hubs.li/Q02xq3d90 #ThermoAnalytics #Space #Satellite #SpaceTechnology #SatelliteTracking #SpaceExploration #EarthOrbit #SpaceDebris #SpaceSafety #SpaceInnovation #Astrophysics #SpaceScience #SpaceAwareness #SatelliteDiscovery

* 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 — For decades, the space sector has grappled with a colossal problem: #SpaceDebris. Imagine millions of defunct satellites, spent rocket parts, and paint flecks hurtling through Earth’s orbit at breakneck speeds— each possessing the kinetic energy of bombs, endangering valuable space assets. Until recently, we acknowledged this issue without decisive action. Then, in 2007, #China conducted anti-satellite (ASAT) missile testing, destroying one of its weather satellites and creating over 3,000 additional debris pieces. Russia and the U.S. have also conducted ASAT tests prior to 2007, and in 2019. India joined the ASAT club. Russia continued ASAT missile testing in 2020 and 2021, adding to the cloud of space debris in low-Earth orbit — a threat to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). 𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩 𝙙𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘𝙨 Once predominantly occupied by Earth observation satellites, the low-Earth orbit (LEO) is evolving into a lucrative space for broadband satellite initiatives such as #Starlink and OneWeb. Investors are now assessing LEO's prospective value, shifting theoretical considerations into tangible opportunities. In April 2022, Vice President Kamala Harris pledged that the U.S. won’t conduct further destructive ASAT missile tests, aiming to establish a new norm for responsible behaviour in space. Regulatory changes followed: the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) spearheaded the adoption of a “5-year rule,” stipulating that 𝗟𝗘𝗢 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (replacing the previous guidelines of 25 years). The aim? Enhanced accountability and reduced collision risk, underscoring the importance of responsible space stewardship. #SpaceSustainability has become a significant consideration, leading to a reevaluation of in-orbit servicing and debris removal companies by potential investors. What lies ahead in this evolving landscape? Read on: https://lnkd.in/gGf-5dqd)

Space debris - more satellites than ever, and satellites break apart presenting threats to other satellites. This satellite is in GEO where space debris may be a bigger risk than satellites in LEO that can maneuver. It emphasizes a need to build spacecraft that consider shielding levels (for electronics etc.) as well as consider charging/effects, then be strong enough for meteor strikes, and now space debris. https://lnkd.in/eS-uMJcx #spacedebris #spaceforce #GEO

The Earth is closer to suffer the Kessler syndrome. The U.S. Space Command has confirmed a minimum of 300 pieces of trackable debris, but independent space monitoring firm LeoLabs has estimated that there are at least 700 fragments from the rocket break-up and as many as 900. That's a lot of debris to add to an already cluttered region. On Tuesday morning (Aug. 6), a Chinese Long March 6A rocket launched the first 18 satellites for the Qianfan ("Thousand Sails") broadband network, which will eventually host up to 14,000 spacecraft. The rocket successfully delivered the satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO), at an altitude of about 500 miles (800 kilometers). But its upper stage broke apart shortly thereafter. According to LeoLabs, radar data indicated the rocket broke apart at an altitude of 503 miles (810 kilometers). At this altitude, it will take decades or centuries for the wispy effect of aerodynamic drag to pull the debris back into the atmosphere. As the objects drift lower, their orbits will cross paths with SpaceX 's Starlink Internet satellites, the International Space Station and other crew spacecraft, and thousands more pieces of orbital debris. This increases the risk of collisions, putting commercial and government satellites in jeopardy. If you don’t know what the Kessler syndrome is, it’s crucial to learn about it now. The Kessler syndrome refers to a scenario where the density of objects in low Earth orbit becomes so high that collisions between objects cause a cascade of further collisions, creating even more debris and escalating the risk of additional collisions. This can render space inaccessible for many generations. The urgency and concern surrounding this issue cannot be overstated. The increasing amount of space debris poses a significant threat to the safety and sustainability of space operations.

Space Debris Showdown: Space Debris Threatens the Future of Spaceflight (and the ISS) 🛰 ... Space junk hurtling around Earth at 17,500 mph – sounds like a scene from a disaster movie, right? Well, it's not fiction. Space debris – everything from spent rocket parts to rogue paint chips – is a growing threat to the International Space Station (ISS) and future space missions. This infographic by European Space Agency - ESA dives deep into the dangers of this high-flying hazard and the ISS's impressive defense systems. But why is there so much junk up there, and what can we do to clean it up? Everything from rockets to missing marbles: * Launches galore: The space industry is booming, with more and more rockets blasting off. Each launch leaves behind a trail of debris. * Kaboom! Collisions between spacecraft or debris can create a cascading effect, shattering objects into even more shrapnel. * Sticky Situation: Microgravity makes debris hang around in orbit for centuries, creating a cosmic junkyard. So, how do we dodge this space debris disaster? * Cleaning Crews: Ideas like space janitorial robots or giant nets are being explored to capture and de-orbit debris. * Design for Demise: Satellites that self-destruct upon reaching mission end could significantly reduce future clutter. * Traffic Control: International regulations and better tracking systems could prevent collisions and minimize debris creation. The future of space exploration hinges on a clean and sustainable environment. What are your ideas for tackling the space debris challenge? [Infographic (c) by ESA, European Space Agency] #Space #SpaceDebris #ISS #SpaceFlight #Aerospace

This story has many intereting angles and raises some significant concerns, including; 1. It's only a matter of time until somebody is killed or seriously injured by uncontrolled re-entering debris from a satellite or space station (not to mention launch vehicles). International norms will surely evolve to require best efforts to ensure controlled re-entry of such large objects. Just blaming scheduling problems doesn't really seem to cut it. 2. As a multi-national project, the ISS partners do not yet seem to be fully prepared to apportion the blame and costs for a space debris type accident caused by their orbital infrastructure. Under space law (a branch of international law), all nations involved in the ISS are liable for damages but three nations in particular seem to have had the most direct role for this particular incident (USA, Japan and Russia). 3. Astronaut time on the ISS is a crucial limiting factor that affects safety to all. Could improved space robotics capabilities reduce the need for astronauts to undertake these important, planned, dissassemly and maintence operations on current and future space stations? 5. Could robotic spacecraft be quickly deployed to provide controlled disposal of unplanned large debris in LEO? That would require an ability to rapidly configure and plan a complex bespoke robotic mission, but would appear possible if standardised and modular technology buildings blocks were already flight-proven, e.g. grappling, docking, vision, perception and propulsion. (NB. The above concerns and observations are still important whether or not this particular object is confirmed to have been part of the ISS)

The Kessler Syndrome is a theoretical scenario in space science where the density of objects in Earth's orbit, particularly in low Earth orbit (LEO), reaches a critical threshold, leading to a cascade of collisions. Named after NASA scientist Donald J. Kessler, who proposed the concept in 1978, this syndrome describes a situation where each collision between space debris or satellites generates more debris. This new debris, in turn, increases the likelihood of further collisions, creating a self-sustaining cycle. Over time, this could result in an exponential increase in debris, potentially making certain orbits unusable for future satellite operations or space missions due to the high risk of collision. Essentially, the Kessler Syndrome warns of a potential "debris belt" around Earth where space travel could be severely compromised or even halted in affected orbital paths. While the direct effects are in space, the indirect consequences on Earth could be severe. Satellites are crucial for communication, weather forecasting, navigation, and scientific research. If we lose the ability to use these orbits, it would significantly impact these services. https://lnkd.in/dbzq7h-d

It’s not Thanos and Carnage who are extraterrestrial supervillains. Solar winds, sunspots, solar flares, and CMEs are! They: 🔴 Disrupt satellite trajectories, leading to increased risks of orbital collisions and, consequently, space debris issues, 🔴 Impact the trajectories of space debris pieces, which are generally pre-calculated for spacecraft safety, 🔴 Challenge spacecraft operators in ensuring the safety of operational satellites, especially in low Earth orbits where the effects of space weather are more pronounced, and 🔴 Affect the planning of satellite lifetimes due to unforeseen drag and radiation levels. I see here a need for improved space weather predictions to safeguard spacecraft and mitigate collision risks in space. And with the increasing number of satellites in orbit, I have no doubt space weather, tech like what we do at Mission Space will attract more limelight and weight. What are your thoughts on the subject? #spacetech #spaceindustry #spaceweather

Space debris by the numbers Information last updated on 18 June 2024 Number of rocket launches since the start of the space age in 1957 About 6,640 (excluding failures) Number of satellites these rocket launches have placed into Earth orbit About 18,400 Number of these still in space About 12,540 Number of these still functioning About 10,000 Number of space objects regularly tracked by Space Surveillance Networks and maintained in their catalogue About 35910 Estimated number of break-ups, explosions, collisions, or anomalous events resulting in fragmentation More than 640 Total mass of all space objects in Earth orbit More than 12,400 tonnes Not all objects are tracked and catalogued. The number of debris objects estimated based on statistical models to be in orbit (MASTER-8, future population 2024) 40,500 space debris objects greater than 10 cm 1,100,000 space debris objects from greater than 1 cm to 10 cm 130 million space debris objects from greater than 1 mm to 1 cm Learn More by exploring ESA Space Environment Report 2024: https://lnkd.in/ei7qGYqv #Spaceeducation #spaceexploration #spacedebris #spaceenvironment #spacesustainability Credit: European Space Agency - ESA