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> Estimates predict that there could already be over 100 trillion pieces of old satellites orbiting the planet that are untracked. This presents a major risk to
by imchillyb 3y ago
> Estimates predict that there could already be over 100 trillion pieces of old satellites orbiting the planet that are untracked. This presents a major risk to other satellites. Hundreds of collision avoidance maneuvers are performed by satellites each year to avoid clashes that would not only cause damage to operational satellites or even destroy them, to would also generate even more space junk.
> https://www.space.com/nasa-scientists-space-junk-treaty https://www.space.com/nasa-scientists-space-junk-treaty
Your dismissive attitude towards space debris is the polar opposite of leading scientists.
NASA and other space agencies have been lobbying to make politicians understand the immediate and long term dangers of orbital debris.
- api 3y agoI wasn't arguing that orbital debris didn't matter, but my understanding (which could be wrong) was that these very low orbit satellites are not major contributors because they're low and deorbit.
- NKosmatos 3y agoThe issue with space debris from satellites is well known and thank you for raising your voice, but some people don’t like being told the scientific truth. There is also the issue with astronomical observations being affected. I’m not against satellite constellations, just wishing for a way to have them more organized and for having stricter rules on cleanup and deorbit. I guess that’s why my original comment got downvoted :-(