Geoffrey Forden, orbital debris expert at MIT, tells Vikas Kumar about the need for greater debris monitoring How serious is the problem?
This collision has created a serious problem for the
Iridium satellites, which by definition have a large overlap with the debris released in space. We’ll need to bear this in mind when we send out more satellites in the future.
There have been times when the satellites came close to colliding, but in the end did not. Do you have any observation or study on that?
My calculations show that some satellites (including non-operational satellites that have reached the end of their life) and a piece of space debris approach each other every three to four days within 800 metres – the distance that the orbital elements predicted for this collision. Near misses between two satellites are considerably rarer, but still happen every month or so.
Would the ISS face any threat?
The ISS does face an increased risk, but the increase from the debris created by this collision is rather small. This is because the ISS is at a considerably lower altitude.
What can be done to prevent future collisions?
First, all space-faring countries must follow the debris-mitigation rules that various international committees have agreed to. They should sign up with the Code of Conduct that the European Union is considering.
What could be the implications of frequent collisions?
Space is being used for a variety of purposes, most of which serve humanity. For instance, satellites are used to predict weather, and hence mitigate the danger from floods, drought and other disasters. It is quite possible that if too much of space debris is created, near Earth orbits will be rendered unusable. If that happens, people’s lives will be lost on Earth.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM ArticleThis collision has created a serious problem for the
Iridium satellites, which by definition have a large overlap with the debris released in space. We’ll need to bear this in mind when we send out more satellites in the future.There have been times when the satellites came close to colliding, but in the end did not. Do you have any observation or study on that?
My calculations show that some satellites (including non-operational satellites that have reached the end of their life) and a piece of space debris approach each other every three to four days within 800 metres – the distance that the orbital elements predicted for this collision. Near misses between two satellites are considerably rarer, but still happen every month or so.
Would the ISS face any threat?
The ISS does face an increased risk, but the increase from the debris created by this collision is rather small. This is because the ISS is at a considerably lower altitude.
What can be done to prevent future collisions?
First, all space-faring countries must follow the debris-mitigation rules that various international committees have agreed to. They should sign up with the Code of Conduct that the European Union is considering.
What could be the implications of frequent collisions?
Space is being used for a variety of purposes, most of which serve humanity. For instance, satellites are used to predict weather, and hence mitigate the danger from floods, drought and other disasters. It is quite possible that if too much of space debris is created, near Earth orbits will be rendered unusable. If that happens, people’s lives will be lost on Earth.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008
An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative
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