In 1957 the first satellite, Sputnik, was launched into space. Today there are approximately 1400 satellites which we rely on heavily. They are used extensively for communications and television; research focused on the Earth or the Universe; navigation; weather monitoring; and military purposes such as imagery, intelligence and communications. In its current state, even the internet is dependent on timing data from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to operate. This adds up to a global market worth over $300bn (£233bn).
Due to satellite collisions, lost equipment and weapons tests, as of July 2013, more than 170 million pieces of debris smaller than 1 cm, about 670000 pieces 1–10 cm, and around 29000 larger pieces were estimated to be in orbit. Due to a lack of air resistance, debris remains in orbit unless its path is otherwise affected. As each piece travels at around 25000 mph they pose a threat to the 1400 unmanned satellites and the 1 manned satellite, the International Space Station (ISS). Already the ISS has needed to alter its orbit to avoid debris, as have other satellites.
Collisions with debris in orbit are a source of further debris, with each collision supplying hundreds more pieces which in turn increase the risk of further collisions. There is a theoretical limit where the density of space debris becomes so large it causes a cascade effect, greatly increasing the problem and potentially making earth orbit uninhabitable for satellites or people. This would hamper all modern technology that relies on satellites, remove the opportunity for human space travel and exploration, and potentially pose a re-entry threat to people on Earth.
The US government, worried by the danger posed to their military satellites (GPS, reconnaissance and earth monitoring) have issued a request to tender for solutions.
Your task is to find a solution to the impending problems caused by Kessler Syndrome. This could involve a space debris clean-up solution, methods for coping with space debris or a method to slow the rising amount of debris. You may address the entire issue, or tackle a smaller section of it, as it is expected that multiple solutions from different agents will be required.
The budget committed to this problem is extremely large, however your solution will be competing against other solutions and must offer good value for money. For this reason, your proposal must be fully costed, practical and reliable.
You must consider the scale of the problem, including all relevant distances, how your proposal will be implemented, and how it will interact with the existing space infrastructure.
First, you must identify the problem you are trying to solve. Kessler Syndrome is part of a multifaceted problem.
Potential solutions should either aim to prevent the Kessler syndrome or to mitigate the effects of such an occurrence. In particular, you must show that you have considered the scale of the problem, including all relevant factors such as distances and speeds. How will your proposal be implemented and how it will interact with the existing space infrastructure?
“How the Kessler Syndrome can end all space exploration and destroy modern life”, Big Think, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://bigthink.com/paul-ratner/how-the-kessler-syndrome-can-end-all-space-exploration-and-destroy-modern-life. [Accessed: 30- Oct- 2018].
“RemoveDebris: UK satellite nets ‘space junk’”, BBC News, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45565815. [Accessed: 30- Oct- 2018].