Space Debris: Private Companies and Global Threats

Private companies and national space agencies are exploring ways to remove space debris from Earth orbit, which poses a growing threat to satellites and future space missions. Estimates of the amount of debris vary, but there are potentially millions of pieces ranging in size from 1 millimeter to 10 centimeters, as well as trillions of smaller fragments. The European Space Agency has contracted with a Swiss start-up called ClearSpace for the first-ever mission to remove a derelict object from orbit. Commercial demand for space debris removal is expected to increase over time, with major space agencies funding initial missions and private companies eventually lowering prices for commercial purposes. However, uncertainties and challenges remain in accurately tracking and mitigating space debris.