Space junk: the final frontier?
Close encounters between objects in orbit could increase by 50 per cent in the next decade and 250 per cent in 50 years, scientists at the University of Southampton have predicted. An increase in space debris means satellite operators will have to step up screening and tracking measures to avoid collisions, according to Dr Hugh Lewis of the University’s School of Engineering Sciences.
Of the 20,000 or so large objects now in orbit only 5 per cent are active spacecraft; apart from the Moon the rest is junk. And with an average speed of more than 22,000mph even very small pieces of debris have the potential to rip open anything in their path. Besides the space-faring passengers of Virgin Galactic, this poses a real threat to any orbiting spacecraft, satellite or probe unlucky enough to end up in the firing line. If the problem is left unchecked, the implications for the rest of us here on Earth are: increasing disruptions to our communications and weather services, satellite navigation devices taking a wrong turn and TV transmissions zoning out. The situation is already out of our control and experts agree that it is going to get worse - much worse.
The subject and work of the School of Engineering Sciences was recently covered by The Times Online .
Find out more about the work of Dr Hugh Lewis .
Find out more about the School's Astronautics Research Group .
Find out more about studying Space Systems Engineering at Southampton.