Former NASA administrator Sean O’Keefe has raised concerns about the increasing amount of space debris orbiting Earth, likening the situation to the ‘Wild West’ of outer space. With around 9,000 functional satellites currently in orbit and plans for tens of thousands more to be launched by private corporations like SpaceX and Amazon, the space around Earth is becoming increasingly crowded.
Since the 1950s, close to 17,000 satellites have been sent into orbit, with about 12,000 still in operation today. However, the number of non-functional debris pieces being tracked in orbit exceeds 35,000, posing a significant risk of collisions that could damage or destroy active satellites and spacecraft.
The lack of a universal governance structure for regulating activities in low-Earth orbit complicates the issue further. O’Keefe highlighted the urgent need for agreed-upon standards, particularly when it comes to preventing the creation of more space debris. He emphasized the importance of designing satellites to burn up completely upon deactivation, a practice already followed by some companies like SpaceX.
Efforts to address the problem include guidelines for best practices and proposals for cleaning up debris using innovative methods such as nets. While steps are being taken to tackle the issue, the lack of a global agreement on space traffic management remains a significant challenge.
In conclusion, the issue of space debris is a growing concern that requires international cooperation and unified standards to ensure the sustainability and safety of activities in Earth’s orbit. Until such agreements are reached, the ‘Wild West’ of space will continue to pose potential risks to satellites and spacecraft in orbit.
