![]() ![]() Bits of space trash pose the same threat to satellites. It probably was made by a micrometeorite, which is a small bit of natural space debris. Scientists found this 500-micrometer-wide hole (about the size of a period at the end of a sentence) in a piece of the Solar Max satellite brought back to Earth after a repair mission. Meanwhile, her satellite would reel the container back up so that it could collect more trash. There, the space junk would harmlessly burn up just like a meteor does. In some cases, she notes, the difference in speed between the satellite and the debris could still be pretty big.įinally, when the trash container was full, it would be lowered toward Earth on a kilometers-long cable and it contents released into the upper atmosphere. This container needs to be strong so that it doesn’t break apart when the satellite swallows the space junk, Dana explains. As the satellite closed in on its prey, cameras would keep it on target.Īt the last minute, a door that leads to a bulletproof container would open. Then, thrusters would change the satellite’s orbit so that it could chase down the errant object. Here’s how hers would work: A radar system aboard the satellite would scan for and find a piece of space junk. Others have proposed launching satellites to collect the debris. Some have suggested vaporizing small bits with lasers. Researchers have come up with many ideas for getting rid of space junk. That’s about 7.8 kilometers per second! Such blistering speed explains why tiny paint flecks have chipped the windshields of space shuttles so badly that they needed to be replaced. That’s because this debris orbits our planet at speeds up to some 28,200 kilometers per hour (17,500 miles per hour). NASA Orbital Debris Program OfficeĮven bits of space junk as small as flecks of paint pose a threat, says Dana. If even one fairly large piece collides with a satellite or the International Space Station, the result could be a disaster. Millions of pieces of space junk (some depicted above) orbit Earth. ![]() She attends Alridwan Schools in Amman, Jordan. In all, some 100 million pieces of debris likely orbit Earth today, says 15-year-old Dana Arabiyat. Most are too small to detect from Earth’s surface. About 20,000 are at least the size of a softball (some are as large as a refrigerator). The objects being tracked are the size of a marble or larger. Many come from satellites or rockets that have blown up and shattered. It and other organizations are tracking about 500,000 pieces of space junk that are currently orbiting Earth. Now, a teen from Jordan has designed a satellite to chase down space junk, collect it and then dispose of it. But all of these million-dollar marvels of technology can be knocked out by a collision with space junk - debris from satellites and other Earthly technology orbiting high above the planet. Others relay communications around the globe. Others look outward in search of major solar flares that can disrupt the transmission of electrical power to homes and businesses. Some look downward to monitor environmental conditions on Earth. Satellites play big roles in modern life. ![]()
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