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Wouldn't it be ironic if, despite the high-flying idealistic rhetoric, Elon Musk ends up denying everyone access to space, for a time, due to StarLink triggerin
by tablespoon 5y ago
Wouldn't it be ironic if, despite the high-flying idealistic rhetoric, Elon Musk ends up denying everyone access to space, for a time, due to StarLink triggering Kessler syndrome?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome
- devoutsalsa 5y agoKessler Syndrome isn't optimal, but it won't be the overly dramatic Earth prison we hear about in worst case scenario stories. PBS Space Time did a video on this recently... "The (Slow) Crisis Of Space Junk": https://youtu.be/LkeTk-Fi_c8 https://youtu.be/LkeTk-Fi_c8
- kitsunesoba 5y agoIt's also a lot less likely with ultra-LEO constellations like Starlink. Not only do the satellites naturally quickly deorbit after loss of control, they're low and cheap enough that if necessary SpaceX can easily suicide-burn them to avoid catastrophe should it come to that.
- mlindner 5y agoKessler syndrome doesn't result in denying access to space.