Daily Answer Writing Challenge-9th August

Q1. The problem of space debris has grown significantly in recent years. Discuss the issue brought on by space debris and give solutions to it.(250 Words 15 Marks) 

Answer: 

An artificial object orbiting Earth that is no longer useful is known as space debris. These include  abandoned spacecraft, fragments left over after abandoned rocket bodies broke apart, liquids  that solidified during spacecraft expulsion, unburned remains of solid rocket motors, etc. 

The problem of Space Debris: 

• Affect Space Travel: The estimated number of defunct, artificially created objects in space. It  endangers both crewed and uncrewed space travel. They weigh approximately 7,500 tonnes.
• Vast Number: There are now more than 150 million pieces floating in space, most measuring  less than 2 inches across. 
•  In-Orbit Risk: The speed (28,000 kph) at which space junk can travel, which is fast enough  to destroy a spacecraft, particularly one containing humans on board the International Space  Station (ISS) 
• The Kessler Syndrome: It is concerned that collisions will set off a chain reaction in which  the resulting space debris will destroy other satellites and so on, rendering low Earth orbit  unusable. 
•  Harm to Life on Earth: The likelihood of an individual on Earth being struck by falling debris.
• Cost Increase: Satellite operators in geostationary orbit estimate that protective and mitigation  measures account for about 5-10% of mission cost, and for LEO the cost is even higher.
• Interference with Scientific and Other Observations: Space debris disrupts radio telescope  reception and distorts photographs taken by ground-based telescopes, affecting the accuracy  of scientific results obtained. 

Steps to mitigate the problems: 

•  Passivation: Satellite explosions are reduced through the deactivation of various systems.
• Design for demise: Using materials that will burn up on re-entry. 
• Deorbiting systems: According to international standards, satellites must be decommissioned  within 25 years of the end of their mission. 
• RemoveDebris: Capture the debris using various technologies such as harpoons, nets, Space  Tugs, Lasers, and Space Tethers, among others. 
•  Moving satellites to higher orbits, which are too far away to re-enter the atmosphere, into  Graveyard Orbit. 

Efforts by the countries and Global treaties for the same: 

•  ESA is actively working to support the guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space  activities. 
• UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. 
• Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the ESA have formed partnerships with start ups to help remove space debris. 
• ESA is funding the world’s first mission to remove a piece of debris from orbit, helping to create  an international space sustainability rating and developing technologies to automate collision  avoidance and reduce the impact on our environment from space missions. 

Today, the entire world relies on satellite communication systems. However, given the rate at  which space debris is increasing, it will be difficult for this system to function properly in the 

unacademy.com | Download the Unacademy app 

Give your feedback here: Link 

near future. It is past time for the entire world to band together to devise a comprehensive plan  to address this issue.