Should we fear the proliferation of orbital waste?

The proliferation of space junk represents a growing threat, with over 34,000 objects larger than 10 cm and a total mass of 9,000 tonnes in orbit. Although the risk of collision with aircraft remains low, the increase in the number of air traffic and the lack of spatial regulations could make the situation even worse. Debris in low Earth orbit is of particular concern. Initiatives to space cleaning with innovative techniques such as robotic arms and lasers, a market valued at 3 billion euros a year.

A cluttered sky

Space, once a place of infinite mysteries, is today increasingly saturated of debris. With over a million objects orbiting our planet, we're faced with a real space headache. Debris of all sizes orbits the Earth for decades, representing projectiles capable of colliding with a satellite or space station.

Regulations like the Wild West

While air traffic is perfectly regulated and secureUnfortunately, the same rigor does not apply to space regulations. Legal experts are quick to compare it to a veritable Wild West. Every day, the European Space Agency and its counterparts try to reduce the mass of space waste orbiting the Earth.

Aviation risks

Although the risk of space debris hitting an aircraft is low, these objects could disrupt flights and cause additional costs for airlines. In 2022, Spain and France closed part of their airspace as a piece of debris threatened to cross the sky, causing delays to around 600 flights.

The threat of a worst-case scenario

The global concern is that uncontrolled proliferation of this debris could lead to Kessler syndrome, where the density of debris considerably increases the risk of chain collisions. Currently, ten large objects a year have to be removed before fragmentation to limit this risk.

A strategy for cleaning up space

NASA recently unveiled the first part of its strategy for sustainability in space, addressing satellite proliferation in particular. Clean-up solutions are emerging, such as "Space Tugs", robotic arms, nets, and even harpoons to capture small debris.

A future under scrutiny

Against this backdrop, a new branch of the space industry is emerging: space cleaning. NASA estimates this market at 3 billion euros a year. It's a colossal technological challenge that will make space accessible to future generations.

A challenge for future generations

Clearing up space debris is becoming crucial. With over 2,300 rocket bodies eventually re-entering our atmosphere in an uncontrolled manner, it is imperative to regulate and control space debris to ensure the stability and safety of the space environment. France, a pioneer in this field, has adopted legislation to prevent the proliferation of orbital waste.

Comparison of Risks and Solutions to Orbital Waste Proliferation

Aspects	Orbital waste
Total Debris	More than 34,000 objects over 10 cm in size
Total weight	Approximately 9,000 tonnes
Risk to Aircraft	Weak but real
High Risk Zone	Regions around major airports
Potential impact	Airline delays and costs
Proposed solutions	Robotic arms, nets, harpoons
Space cleaning market	Estimated at 3 billion euros a year
Waste Management	The need for international regulation
Incident examples	Partial closure of airspace in 2022
Evolution Future	Possibility of doubling in 50 years

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