All articles tagged with #orbital sustainability
Originally Published 2 months ago — by Earth.com
The European Space Agency has introduced a space environment health index to assess the long-term impact of space debris, revealing that Earth's orbit is in serious crisis with levels four times above the safe threshold, emphasizing the urgent need for debris mitigation and sustainable space practices to prevent future chaos and ensure the viability of space activities.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by Gizmodo
Astroscale, a 2025 Gizmodo Science Fair winner, successfully launched its ADRAS-J mission to approach and observe a defunct Japanese rocket stage in orbit, demonstrating the potential for space debris removal and promoting sustainable use of Earth's orbital environment. The mission paves the way for future debris removal efforts, aiming to reduce space junk and extend satellite lifespans.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by KSL.com
The increasing number of satellites and space debris in near-Earth orbit is causing concerns for astronomers and scientists due to light pollution and potential environmental impacts. Manmade debris is already affecting the stratosphere, with predictions that it will make up 50% of stratospheric aerosols in the future. Companies like Astroscale are working on technologies to address the orbital debris issue, including missions to capture and remove space junk, while efforts are also being made to launch biodegradable satellites.