Broadband Expansion Could Trigger Dangerous Surge In Space Junk (theguardian.com)

A new study from the University of Southampton warns that expanding broadband networks via launching "mega constellations" of thousands of communications satellites could increase catastrophic crashes of dangerous space junk in Earth's orbit. "Dr Hugh Lewis, a senior lecturer in aerospace engineering at the University of Southampton, ran a 200-year simulation to assess the possible consequences of such a rise in orbital traffic," reports The Guardian. "He found it could create a 50% increase in the number of catastrophic collisions between satellites." From the report: Such crashes would probably lead to a further increase in the amount of space junk in orbit, he said, leading to the possibility of further collisions and potential damage to the services the satellites were intended to provide. The European Space Agency, which funded Lewis's research, is calling for the satellites planned for orbital mega-constellations to be able to move to low altitudes once their missions are over so they burn up in Earth's atmosphere. They must also be able discharge all batteries, fuel tanks and pressure tanks to prevent explosions that would scatter debris. Lewis is presenting his research this week at the European conference on space debris at the ESA's center in Darmsadt, Germany. Krag said he expected some of the companies planning launches to attend.

Comments

Re:Need to build a cleaner

[ShanghaiBill]

What we're really finding out here is that we need to build an orbital cleanup satellite.

We don't even need a satellite. We can do it from the earth's surface. Just put a big fricken laser on the summit of Mauna Kea or Cerro Toco, point it westward, and shoot it at the leading surface of the debris to slow it down into an unstable orbit.

some days it's not worth getting out of bed

[Anonymous Coward]

With all the space junk, and polar rivers flowing backwards, and Al Gore jetting around in his private aircraft, and Muslim maniacs, and Elizabeth Warren, and alligators on golf courses. I'm going back to sleep.

Re:Recycle!

[Bearhouse]

Ah OK, so when the thing is worn-out and obsolete you propose to...recycle it somewhere, like on the ISS?
You know that one person-day of work in LEO costs MINIMUM 7.5 million bucks, right?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

That buys you a fuckton of cubesats & launches, space cadet.

Re:Restrict orbits

[phayes]

Low orbits are _very_suitable_ for broadband networks. It's just that they need to be replenished regularly and up to now, with throw away launchers, using low orbits wasn't _economical_.