Why does this overcrowding matter?

Low Earth orbit: A limited resource

This overcrowding means we are simply running out of space in (this part of) space. Low Earth orbit is a finite resource, so we need to clear away the old to make way for the new. If we don’t, we may become unable to send anything else up there.

Debris damage

All this space junk also poses a threat to current active satellites which carry out essential services. These pieces of debris are travelling at incredible speeds, around 10 times faster than a bullet! If they collide with our working satellites, it could damage or destroy them, affecting important services that we rely on every day.

Blocking the way

A build-up of space debris also makes space exploration more difficult. Any spacecraft needs to dodge the bustling traffic of our local orbit to reach the Universe beyond, risking getting caught in a catastrophic collision as it does.

There is even a theory that too much space junk in orbit could lead to something called Kessler Syndrome - a chain reaction of collisions that would eventually make parts of Earth’s orbit unusable.

So, clearing some hazardous old satellites from low Earth orbit is critical for:

• Maintaining our current essential uses of satellites, such as GPS.
• Developing future beneficial uses of satellites and spacecraft in low Earth orbit.
• Continuing our exploration of space beyond our local orbit.

This is where the UK Space Agency’s latest mission comes in.

Header image credit: ClearSpace UK