The modern space race is thrilling, filled with impressive rockets and astronauts, but there’s an often-overlooked issue: the trash floating around from earlier missions.
As we gear up to launch more satellites and data centers into our local space, we’re going to need someone to step up as our interplanetary waste collector and tackle all the discarded satellites and debris.
Even tiny particles, like paint flakes, can be dangerous up there, zipping by at speeds over 17,000 miles per hour.
Dr. Chiranjeevi Phanindra, who leads CosmoServe Space, mentioned, “In the past 70 years, we’ve sent around 20,000 objects into space, and now projections say we could launch up to a million satellites in just the next decade.” His company is set to debut its debris collection technology in space the following week.
NASA reports that there are already over 100 million pieces of debris larger than one millimeter in low Earth orbit, weighing as much as 6,000 tons.
Traditionally, the government has taken care of space cleaning, but new FCC regulations coming into effect next year will shift some responsibility to private companies. By 2027, the rules will stipulate that operators must remove any non-functional satellites from low Earth orbit within five years after their missions wrap up, a notable change from the previous 25-year period allowed.
Firms that launched debris-laden objects and then largely forgot about them now face the task of figuring out how to clean up. This opens up a commercial market that Phanindra estimates could reach $8 billion by 2030.
Various companies are experimenting with different strategies to collect this debris. Some are crafting spacecraft specifically designed to grab debris pieces and return them to Earth, while others are attempting to use large nets to ensnare the debris. Another approach could involve injecting gas to slow it down, causing it to descend. CosmoServe plans to employ a method similar to a “Vetrap” using a gentle robotic arm for capturing suspended debris.
The industry is still in its infancy, but there’s a strong belief among management that it can become quite profitable, especially given the technical barriers to entry.
Dr. Phanindra added, “Debris removal and maintenance in orbit will evolve similarly to the rocket sector. Only a handful of professionals will be equipped to do this, but the profit margins will be substantial compared to competitors.”
Others entering this space view it as a stepping stone to establishing a robust foundation for a potential future space economy.
Adam Cole, the founder of space-cleaning startup KMI, commented, “When we think of trash removal, we see it as logistics in space.” His company recently showcased technology on the International Space Station that can capture unprepared objects without needing special docking equipment. He believes that as humans expand their presence in space, the potential applications for this technology will grow enormously. If you can handle a defunct satellite, moving other objects should be feasible too.
“I think the future lies in space construction,” he remarked. “If we can assemble spacecraft components in orbit, our capabilities will greatly expand,” he added.
The same tools used to eliminate debris could also assist in repositioning functional satellites, transporting materials to space-based factories, and servicing upcoming orbital structures like data centers.
“We can also adjust operational satellites that are incorrectly positioned or clear out blockages,” he explained further. “The technologies are essentially interchangeable, serving multiple purposes.”
Essentially, those pioneering the next steps in space exploration might just be the very individuals tasked with cleaning up the cosmic clutter.
