There are over 160 million pieces of human-made space debris. Despite this, plans are underway to launch over 10,000 new satellites in the coming years. The current state of affairs is rapidly heading toward a scenario known as Kessler Syndrome wherein the cascading of collisions in the orbit would effectively destroy all functional satellites and completely block access to space. There are no legally binding regulations for space debris management due to a lack of global consensus.

Despite the space sector playing a key role in the development of humankind, information about space is not accessible. Similarly, the problems in space, which directly affect the public, are kept out of sight. 

Privateer is a leader in aerospace monitoring and intelligence. Their platform facilitates the sharing of aerospace data. Founded on the ethos of a sustainable space economy, Privateer’s goal is to make space safe and accessible to everyone. Space Trash Signs is aligned with this mission to break the wall between the space sector and the general public. By raising awareness for space pollution, Privateer highlights the responsibility of private entities in ensuring a sustainable space for future generations.

Background:

More objects are being launched into space than ever, resulting in more trash in space than ever, which threatens the critical infrastructure that we all depend on, from communication to food production, and more. Despite the urgency, there are no legally binding international treaties that can enforce the cleanup of space debris. 

Challenges:

Sustainable aerospace tech company Privateer provides data for space trash removal and prevention. But the lack of public understanding further allows policymakers and mainstream aerospace companies to turn a blind eye on this issue, undermining support for companies such as Privateer.

Overview:

Space Trash Signs are the first constellations made from space debris, making space pollution as well as its consequences visible to the public. While raising public awareness, Space Trash Signs champions the brand’s tech and data capabilities and provides a unifying platform for the industry to take action.  

Data Insights:

Privateer aggregates over 800 million data points about space objects and debris from public and private sources. But people still don’t understand the threat because space debris is not visible.

Innovation:

Space Trash Signs — visualizing the consequences of space pollution with the first constellations made from space debris. Millions of moving debris datapoints were scanned to identify ten new constellations, each one representing a different impact of space pollution. For example: The Broken Compass signifies the loss of navigation services; The Lost Harvest, visualized as a dying plant, stands for the loss of environmental data; The End of Discovery, in the shape of a stop sign, represents the end of space exploration.

Data gathering:

Privateer aggregates over 800 million data points about space objects from public and private sources. For each piece of debris, information including the source object, position, speed, path, and even the estimated cost of removal is recorded.

Data interpretation:

The goal was to reach people worldwide, of all age groups, who have no technical background in aerospace or astronomy. Since the beginning of time, humans have looked up to the sky for meaning, and this act led to the formation of constellations as a way of understanding stars. Expanding on this insight to make complex data accessible, space debris was turned into constellations.

Targeting:

The constellations were also contextually placed in different apps and websites which depend on space infrastructure. This gave users a glimpse into the future of space pollution while drawing their attention to the topic. For example: apps for delivery, weather, financial services, and more.  

Data journey:

Privateer collects over 800 million datapoints, tracking and cataloging space objects ranging from satellites to space debris. The visual metaphor of constellations was used to simplify this complex information for people with no technical background on the subject.

Implementation:

An AI model was used to scan millions of debris data points to identify constellations, based on the shapes, source objects, and locations. For example, to build The Broken Compass, the model was restricted to locating the given icon formed by joining pieces from defunct navigation satellites over the Bermuda Triangle. The datapoints are timestamped, monitored, and regularly updated.

Data integration:

Space Trash Signs were brought to life through various channels: A website with an interactive virtual observatory, an immersive experience in planetariums worldwide, and integration into AR stargazing apps. The campaign was promoted through contextual placements in websites and apps that would be affected by space pollution.

Space Trash Signs created brand awareness and long-term growth while improving public engagement in the sector.

Consumer experience:

Space Trash Signs gained 400 million impressions. With 500,000 unique site visitors, the experience was screened at 700+ planetariums.

Behavior change:

The campaign led to 300% increase in awareness for the topic of space sustainability, changing consumer attitudes towards the relevance of space pollution.

Business impact:

Through improved brand perception, 56.5 million USD in funding were raised by Privateer. 

Industry impact:

The project raised sign-ups for the ESA Zero Debris Charter by 2300%, in time for a critical UN meeting on space pollution. With growing public pressure, the FCC has announced a fine for polluting in space. Space Trash Signs were recognized by the global astronomical society Astronomers Without Borders, while gaining support from aerospace actors including the European Space Agency, Astroscale (Japan & UK), OKAPI:Orbits (Germany), Dark (France), and Digantara (India).