// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Space Debris
Any human-made objects in orbit around Earth that no longer serve a useful purpose, ranging from old satellites to tiny fragments of rockets.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Space Debris consists of defunct human-made objects in Earth orbit that no longer serve a functional purpose, including spent rocket stages, non-operational satellites, and fragments from collisions or explosions, posing a significant collision risk to operational spacecraft.
BACKGROUND
Space debris are defunct human-made objects in space – principally in Earth orbit – which no longer serve a useful function. These include derelict spacecraft, mission-related debris, and fragmentation debris from the breakup of derelict rocket bodies and spacecraft. In addition to derelict human-made objects left in orbit, space debris includes fragments from disintegration, erosion, or collisions; solidified liquids expelled from spacecraft; unburned particles from solid rocket motors; and even paint flecks. Space debris represents a risk to spacecraft.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Orbital debris
- Space junk
- Kessler Syndrome
USAGE NOTE
Space debris is a growing threat to active satellites and future space missions.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Space Debris.
A Japanese company pioneering on-orbit services for satellite life extension and active debris removal (ADR). They have launched missions like ELSA-d to demonstrate debris capture technologies.
A Swiss startup selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to lead the first mission to remove an item of space debris from orbit, known as the ClearSpace-1 mission.
Provides commercial space situational awareness (SSA) and collision avoidance services by mapping low Earth orbit (LEO) with a global network of phased-array radars to track satellites and debris.
A Canadian company developing a satellite constellation to deliver commercial space situational awareness (SSA) services, monitoring space objects and debris from orbit to prevent collisions.
A data and intelligence company focused on creating a comprehensive and near-real-time map of space objects to support sustainable space operations and reduce collision risks.
A UK-based company that led the influential RemoveDEBRIS mission, which successfully tested several active debris removal technologies in orbit, including a net and a harpoon.
An Italian in-space logistics company that develops technologies for satellite end-of-life management, including a solid rocket motor for rapid and controlled deorbiting to prevent satellites from becoming debris.
An intergovernmental organization whose Clean Space initiative is actively developing technologies and funding missions for space debris mitigation and removal to promote a sustainable space environment.