As a civilization, we are unfortunately all too familiar with the abundance of waste and garbage. There are landfills all over the Earth, some as large as the 2,200-acre Apex landfill in Las Vegas or the 15-story mountain of garbage Bantar Gebang in Jakarta, Indonesia. News and activists have alerted us to the omnipresence of microplastics everywhere on Earth – not even Antarctica or the depths of the ocean have been spared. But did you know that the largest amount of garbage orbits the Earth 18,642 miles above us?

Space debris not only orbits the Earth in a low Earth orbit (about 99 to 1,200 miles above the Earth’s surface) but also spreads into a geostationary orbit (about 22,000 miles above the Earth’s surface). The collection of space debris has grown since our arrival in space in the 1950s. Currently, the interstellar landfill consists of 3,000 dead satellites and more than 34,000 pieces of debris weighing over 15 million pounds in total.

In addition, there are more than 2,200 active satellites keeping us running daily. They provide internet, television, GPS data, and weather information. Rockets launched from Earth must navigate through the orbital field of space debris and avoid the largest pieces of space junk that are moving at nearly 7,000 miles per hour on a potential collision course for disaster. The International Space Station (ISS) is also in the danger zone and has conducted dozens of evasive maneuvers over the years to avoid collisions with space debris in orbit.

What is Sustainability in Space?

Just as we work towards a more sustainable Earth, we must also work towards a more sustainable space. This is done through diplomacy and collaboration with other countries – not only to reduce the amount of space debris we leave behind but also through the recovery and proper disposal of the space debris currently in orbit.

They are pooling their resources to ensure that space exploration can continue and that all efforts are made to protect space from unnecessary waste, destruction, and international conflicts.

It’s a Big Deal

In 1978, former NASA scientist David Kessler wrote a research paper warning of a cascade of space debris known as the Kessler Syndrome. It pointed out the dangers that could arise if defunct satellites, retired rocket engines, elephant-sized spacecraft, and other debris, including paint flecks from space shuttles, were left in orbit around the Earth.

The theory behind the research states that as the amount of space debris increases, so does the likelihood of colliding debris, thereby creating additional debris.

The exponentially growing amount of space junk in orbit would lead to unimaginable amounts of space debris being flung from orbit to unknown destinations. A large amount would also rain down on Earth. Other parts could hit the Moon or render active satellites worthless, crash banking systems, and bring air traffic to a halt.

Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario predicted by Kessler has already begun to materialize. In May 2021, a piece of space debris threatened to hit the Earth over an area that encompassed nearly the entire USA, Africa, Brazil, Australia, India, and the oceans in between. Fortunately, it crashed into the Indian Ocean.

Then, in March 2022, news agencies reported that a large piece of space debris (originally thought to be from a Space This is a page rarely seen, even by satellites – but is visible in the MOVA Globe Moon image above). While the damage is likely limited to the formation of a new crater, it jeopardizes future lunar landings and colonization efforts.

This growing field of space debris also threatens the future of space travel itself. If the field becomes too full, it will become too dangerous to navigate safely, and space exploration could come to an end.

World Space Week Offers Insights into the Future of Sustainable Space

In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly established World Space Week (WSW). It is an international celebration of space that takes place annually from October 4 to 10. The dates commemorate the launch of Sputnik on October 4, 1974, and the signing of the principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and peaceful use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, on October 10, 1967.

WSW provides a collection of educational and outreach activities around the globe, with this year’s focus on a key theme; sustainability in space. WSW views sustainability in space as ‘referring to how humanity uses space, especially the orbital region around the Earth – itself a finite resource.’

The efforts of WSW address methods for removing space debris in orbit (through international collaboration) and ways to enhance sustainable efforts in future space exploration.

Current Efforts to Remove Space Debris

Scientific American states in an article: ‘Kessler’s nightmare scenario has led to numerous possible solutions for debris removal: nets, laser beams, harpoons, giant foam balls, air blasts, tethers, and solar sails – as well as robotic arms that collect the debris like tentacles.’

Yet nothing has proven to be up to the monumental task.

There is no simple solution. Space debris comes in all shapes and sizes. It orbits the Earth at high speeds, and there is a constant danger of being hit by other space debris while attempting to clear some of the chaos. There is also the very real concern that any technology capable of successfully removing space debris would also be effective as anti-satellite warfare.

Thus, cleanup becomes an international negotiation and cooperation situation, where it is likely best to remember lessons from early childhood and hum your favorite preschool song about cooperation and cleanup.

Why Space Matters

Space is not limited by dreams. Space is our past and our future. If we preserve it and explore it sustainably, we ensure that it is there for us and future generations.

John F. Kennedy expressed it best: ‘For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the Moon and the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. We have vowed that space will not be filled with the weapons of mass destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding.’