Sandeep K
Humans started exploring space in the 1950s. Till now, we have launched thousands of satellites into space. Right now there are nearly 6000 satellites orbiting earth based on reports. But not all of them are operational. In that, 3000 satellites are dead and left in space.
Along with that, over the years we have launched many satellites, and every satellite has left pieces of debris. There are millions of small waste pieces floating around in space. They oppose little threat right now. But they may oppose a serious threat as space exploration is continuously growing.
So to clean up this mess, we have to find an effective solution before it’s too late. Recently Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO addressing this issue has tweeted some interesting news. Elon Musk is planning to clean up this mess with his upcoming SpaceX Starship spacecraft.
Elon Musk said his starship spacecraft will chomp up the debris-littered around in space with the help of a moving fairing door. SpaceX has made new records by delivering nearly 400 satellites into space, this year alone. In addition, SpaceX has transmitted nearly 1500 Starlink satellites in the lower earth’s orbit.
In the upcoming years, SpaceX has many ambitious plans for exploring space and delivering many satellites. Also, the SpaceX team said in a recent interview that SpaceX will increase the number of satellites in the lower earth orbit to nearly 42000 by mid-2027.
With all this in mind, A Twitter user raised a question about how SpaceX is planning to clean up the mess in space. Not only SpaceX, some major tech brands like Amazon and Apple also have their own satellites. To provide global digitalization and allow its services to reach every corner of the world.
Answering his question, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk replied with an interesting idea that no one has ever heard. Elon Musk said, “Yes. We can fly starships around space and clean up all the mess with the moving fairing door.
Earlier claims from SpaceX’s president Gwynne Shotwell are also in line with Elon Musk’s plans of cleaning up space debris. She said in an interview with Time magazine that the SpaceX Starlink spacecraft can collect the space debris from the Earth’s orbit and store it in its cargo bay.
Space debris comprises both large objects and smaller metal pieces or painted flecks. Large objects can be failed satellites or other satellites that are left in space at the end of their mission.
Some of the lower orbit objects will return to earth after some years or some of them just get burned up. But the debris or dead satellites that are left at higher heights are quite difficult to deal with.
Because with continuous rise in the number of rocket launches and space missions these space debris will gradually increase. If we leave them out there as they are, then there is a high chance that they may collide or interrupt the upcoming projects.
Based on NASA reports, right now there are nearly 23000 pieces of debris left in space and they are traveling at speeds up to 175000mph. Which is sufficient speed to damage any spacecraft or satellite that gets in its way. To ensure safety for all those future projects, we have to look for a better solution. Without a doubt, Elon Musk is already halfway there.
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