IMO the article overstates the danger of cubesats. If deployed to a low orbit (~ISS height) they deorbit in months due to atmospheric drag. You don't really run into the problems described in the WaPo article until you start putting them into higher orbits where they will last longer.<p>Here is a more detailed article describing the cubesat problem and potential mitigations.<p><a href="https://spaceflightnow.com/2015/07/30/nasa-tracking-cubesats-is-easy-but-many-stay-in-orbit-too-long/" rel="nofollow">https://spaceflightnow.com/2015/07/30/nasa-tracking-cubesats...</a>
This is an <i></i>extremely<i></i> disingenuous article. Not even the worst case models of the Kessler syndrome predict any real impact on beyond-Earth space flight- rather, they are concerned with higher probabilities of impact over months to years for satellites in specific overused low earth orbits. Nothing for comms satellites in geostationary to worry about, let alone a rocket just going past orbit to the moon or Mars. It's definitely something for scientists to think about and track so specific useful orbits stay useful, but has <i>nothing</i> to do with space flight. It's wild how much this idea has been misrepresented in the media!<p>[0] <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome" rel="nofollow">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome</a>
I know this is a long shot but is it possible to detect life on other planets by the metal and trash sphere all modern societies must eventually accumulate around their planet? We have just begun, I can only imagine how crazy it is going to get around our own planet.
The satellite launch the article references was mostly nano stats from Planet Labs. These satellites are designed to deorbit and burn up on rented with a lifespan of about 2 years. Space debris is a problem, but they could have done a much better job motivating that problem with something more accurate.
I thought satellites in orbit suffered decay and needed Station Keeping, or small periodic thrust to keep their orbits. Does anyone know how long it takes orbital decay to bring a satellite back into the atmosphere?
One Solar Powered Laser in High Orbit pressuring trash into lower orbits would be enough to clean stripes up.
Activation of course only over naval territories and clouded waters. In Addition warn every vessel in the path about whats going down.<p>Solveable problem
hmm...I wonder if all these new satellites could possibly be part of some new cheap, high-speed internet system? That would be great for consumers, I guess, but bad for the profits of comcast, et al. I would also be against this pollution of our pristine natural wonderland of outer space, especially if it cut into corporate profits.