Would you believe us if we told you that humans have left a bit of a mess in outer space? Orbiting Earth right now are tens of thousands of human made objects with no purpose – they are simply floating around as space junk. Why does this matter and what should we do? We’re telling you all about it! Plus, surprise! Janine introduces a brand new segment (and its incredible theme music – you gotta hear this) and Aleena has an exciting announcement for all the space nerds out there!
Mastering of this episode, intro and outro music, and “What can we learn from David Bowie?” theme music by the ever-talented Dr Adrian Diery.
Space junk: what’s all the fuss about?
Did your parents or guardians often tell you to clean up after yourself? It seems we lost the memo when it comes to exploring space. When the mission is over, what happens to all the stuff?! Whether it’s rocket bodies, chunks of space craft, or obsolete space craft parts, this fascinating book chapter by Space Archaeologist Alice Gorman tells us that, as at the year 2020, humans have left more than 30,000 pieces of junk larger than 10cm in space, and that number is increasing with time.
OK, so what?
As the amount of space junk orbiting Earth increases, so does the risk of these objects smashing into active spacecraft and equipment. We rely on satellites and other space technologies for myriad purposes such as imagery, weather prediction, internet, and GPS. Our exploration and use of space is hugely important for modern society. So, if these technologies were to get damaged or destroyed, it’s costly in more ways than one…
It’s clear that managing space junk is an increasingly important endeavour for the international space community. Are you convinced yet?!
Read more about space junk and why it’s a problem in this article by Jonathan O’Callaghan (including an embedded video showing an epic net that could be used in the tidy up).
It’s a big mess in more ways than one!
Janine covers this paper on why dealing with space junk is legally fraught. There are no current international laws or binding regulations around the disposal of space junk. There are guidelines in UN Space Treaties that “harmful contamination of space should be avoided”, but we can see that guidelines are simply not enough.
So how about we use the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ waste management framework to space and space junk?! Well, this would require massive changes to current liability laws, and making it easier to transfer ownership of existing space junk to new parties, to enable reusing and recycling.
Space-faring nations will need to work together on this issue to make headway, especially if we want to ensure equity in the use of space for future generations.
Some cool potential solutions
In this paper, Fung and colleagues propose a whole new space recycling method: Space Junk Aggregation, Neutralization, Insitu Transformation and Orbital Recycling… or ‘Space JANITOR’ for short (A+ for this excellent acronym work!). This would involve launching components into space and then assembling the system. Once operational, orbital drones would collect space junk and bring it back to the a Recycling Hub and Base (ReHAB!) space station for processing, scrapping, smelting, servicing, assembly and manufacturing.
This system could lead to significant cost savings, as older materials can be re-used for future space missions, not to mention helping to avert future costs around space debris aversion maneuvers . A full cost-benefit analysis would be prudent.
Mariappan and colleagues propose methods for converting space debris into useful materials in this paper. They describe how space debris could be captured by a proposed ‘space broom’ and organised back at the International Space Station (ISS) via optical sorters. Metals like aluminum could be transferred into powdered form and used as propellants at the ISS. Silicon from solar cell debris could be repurposed into artificial soil for plants growing inside the ISS. And gases could be captured during these processes and used for later propulsions. Sounds pretty good!
Want to know more about the International Space Station (ISS)?
The International Space Station (ISS) is a satellite between 330 and 435 km above Earth, which is habitable. It’s a joint project involving USA, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada – and inside is an in-space research lab! When we checked in 2023, there were 7 people up there and you can follow along with them on Twitter at @ISS Research.
There is also an amazing app where you can watch the ISS when it travels across your sky. It gives alerts that it will be coming overhead shortly. If you want to get in on this action, the ISS Detector Satellite Tracker App is what you’ll need. The ISS orbits the Earth 16 times over 24 hours, which means it travels through 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets in what we would be experiencing as one 24-hour day! How cool is that?
*NEW SEGMENT!* – What can we learn from David Bowie?
Janine finally launches the segment that’s been percolating since 2020! David Bowie. The King. What a human. There is so much we can all learn from him and his time on the planet. In this first segment, Janine and Aleena muse over this famous quote:
“Ageing is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been” (David Bowie)
And, obviously a new segment needs new theme music. And holy moly, our favourite composer and sound designer, Adrian Diery, was happy to provide a David Bowie inspired music snippet… or two! You’ll have to listen in to hear these brilliant tunes!
*SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT* – Space/Time movie
Sci-fi fans, gather! 2023 is go for launch of the new sci-fi mind bender, Space/Time. Directed by Michael O’Halloran, this feature film explores interstellar travel and the true cost of scientific discovery… And guess what?! The incredible original music was written by the one and only Adrian Diery! Adrian was thrilled to work with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to give this film its incredible sound. You’re going to want to keep an eye and ear out for this one. We simply can’t wait! Check out the Space/Time movie website for socials links and more.
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