News

If you’ve noticed a string of white lights in the night sky, chances are it’s not an Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) but rather a satellite train, possibly the parade of SpaceX Starlink devices. These satellites aim to provide high-speed internet access to remote areas. However, with satellites being sent into orbit, there comes a concern about space debris re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a report expressing worry that by 2035, Starlink debris could lead to injuries or fatalities for individuals every two years. Although SpaceX denies this claim, stating that their satellites are designed to disintegrate fully upon re-entry, there are concerns about the long-term impact.

According to Moriba Jah, an associate professor at The University of Texas at Austin, while space junk is a significant problem, it may not be the Starlink satellites that pose the most significant risk. There are thousands of human-made objects orbiting Earth, with only a portion of them being functional satellites. Predicting the positions of these objects is challenging, and collisions are possible. Once fuel is depleted, satellites can re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere, potentially endangering people on the ground.

Jah explains that there are around half a dozen objects re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere daily, most of which burn up. However, the remnants contribute to atmospheric pollution. While Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites are designed to burn up in the atmosphere, the real concern lies with older debris and even large rocket bodies, such as those launched by China, that survive re-entry and reach the planet’s surface.

To address this issue, Jah suggests that governments globally should prioritize reusability and recyclability to prevent pollution in space. While the reusable rockets developed by SpaceX are a step in the right direction, there is currently no way to reuse or recycle satellites. Hence, the fate of many satellites is to become space junk, with some potentially surviving re-entry.

While keeping satellites in orbit for longer durations may seem counterintuitive, Jah proposes a multi-use approach, where existing satellites are shared by multiple parties, reducing the need for additional launches. He acknowledges the real risk to humans from re-entering objects but disputes the claim that Starlink satellites are the primary cause.

It is evident that action needs to be taken to address the growing issue of space debris. Fostering a circular economy in space through reusability and recycling, along with increased monitoring and regulation, could help mitigate the risks associated with satellite re-entry and protect our planet and its inhabitants from potential harm.

The post The Growing Issue of Space Debris and the Concerns Surrounding Starlink Satellites appeared first on satProviders.