How Space Waste Threatens Our Future? Discover the Revolutionary Plans of Polish Scientists

Polish engineers on ESA internships. Space industry is looking for employees

Space debris threatens satellites and generates huge costs. Poles are working on technology that could revolutionize orbit management. The future in space may depend on these innovations.

Space debris is becoming an increasingly serious problem, the effects of which are felt on many levels. Debris remaining in orbit after the end of a mission or as a result of the disintegration of various space objects threatens both existing and newly launched satellites. The growing risk of collisions with these fragments requires intensive monitoring and is associated with additional operational costs, such as the need to avoid collisions by changing the trajectory, which leads to increased fuel consumption. One solution that could alleviate this problem is to extend the life of satellites by refueling them in orbit – Polish companies are working on such technology.

As Marcin Dobrowolski, president of PIAP Space, notes, the development of the space economy is compounding the problem of space debris. Since 1957, over 19,000 satellites have been sent into orbit, of which just over 10,000 remain active. However, there are still over 13,000 objects in orbit around the Earth that have completed their missions, with a total mass of 12.9 thousand tons. Each of these objects can pose a threat to other satellites, including the International Space Station (ISS), which regularly has to change its position to avoid collisions.

Since the beginning of the space age, there have been more than 650 incidents in which objects have broken up into smaller fragments. There may currently be more than 40,000 pieces larger than 10 cm, 1.1 million fragments between 1 cm and 10 cm, and as many as 130 million smaller pieces less than 1 cm in size in orbit. These numbers pose a serious threat to future space missions. Collisions could lead to an increase in the number of small fragments, which in turn could make some orbits unusable.

The growth of space debris requires increasingly precise management of orbital traffic and monitoring of potential threats. The costs associated with installing and maintaining sensors, radars and optical telescopes are constantly increasing. In the event of a collision, a given orbit could be out of use for many years, which would generate huge losses, not only for satellite operators, but also for all those using satellite data, such as weather radars or navigation systems.

To prevent further space pollution, new regulations are being introduced. Satellite operators and suppliers are required to design their missions in such a way that after completing their mission, no later than within 25 years, the satellites can spontaneously deorbit and burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere or end up in a so-called graveyard orbit. In some cases, it is also planned to use active deorbit systems, such as deployable sails or additional rocket engines that accelerate the satellite’s deorbit.

Active removal of space debris is another area where innovative technologies are being developed. PIAP Space, in cooperation with scientists from Łukasiewicz – ILOT, is developing solutions that enable the capture and deorbiting of space objects. This work includes the development of robotic systems with gripping arms and sensors that will enable the docking, servicing and refueling of satellites in orbit.

Extending the life of satellites by refueling them in orbit is one of the solutions that can help reduce the amount of space debris. Such actions allow for more economical management of space infrastructure, which is especially important in the face of the rising costs of removing debris from orbit. NASA has estimated that the costs of these operations can range from 4 to 900 thousand dollars per kilogram of waste, depending on the technology used. Despite the high costs, these investments can pay off relatively quickly, bringing both financial and operational benefits.

The development of space debris removal technologies and satellite life extension are key areas in which Polish companies, such as PIAP Space, can play a significant role on the international stage.

Similar Posts