In a heart-stopping moment for NASA, their satellite called TIMED narrowly avoided a collision with a defunct Soviet-era satellite in Earth’s orbit. The close call has once again highlighted the issue of space debris and its impact on the global space sector.
The incident occurred on February 28th when the US Department of Defense observed the two non-maneuverable satellites approaching each other. The probability of a collision was estimated to be between 3 to 8%, causing significant concern among scientists and space agencies. However, despite the tense moments, TIMED managed to escape the collision and continues to function as intended.
TIMED, which stands for Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics, has been studying Earth’s atmosphere since late 2001. Its primary mission is to investigate the influence of the Sun and human activity on the mesosphere and lower thermosphere/ionosphere. The satellite plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of these regions and their impact on our planet.
This incident is not an isolated event. In September 2023, a collision between an inoperational Russian satellite and other in-orbit debris occurred, further highlighting the dangers of space debris. Similarly, in May 2023, a Chinese satellite narrowly avoided colliding with another defunct Russian satellite, prompting calls for prioritizing space debris mitigation efforts.
The issue of space debris has become a pressing concern for agencies and governments worldwide. In May 2022, the European Space Agency estimated that there were over 31,000 pieces of small satellite debris still orbiting Earth. To address this problem, various initiatives have been launched to clean up space.
In January of this year, Australia and Japan signed an agreement to explore the use of lasers to destroy space debris. Astroscale, a company focused on sustainability, is developing the ELSA-M servicer, which aims to remove space junk from Earth’s orbit. The UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency have also been actively funding deorbiting missions and implementing space sustainability policies.
While efforts to clean up space debris are underway, the recent near-misses serve as a wake-up call. It is only a matter of time until an operational satellite is destroyed due to space debris, and studies have shown that space junk is already impacting Earth’s pollution levels. The urgency to ramp up these missions to clean up space has never been greater.
The incident involving TIMED and the Soviet-era satellite serves as a reminder of the risks posed by space debris and the importance of finding solutions. As the space industry continues to expand, it is crucial that measures are taken to mitigate the proliferation of space junk and ensure the safety of our satellites and astronauts. Only through international cooperation and continued investment in space debris mitigation can we secure the future of space exploration.
