Kessler syndrome
The Kessler syndrome is a condition in which any collision between the objects in space is likely to generate a cascade of multiple space collisions in the low Earth orbit (LEO).
Each further collision would generate more space debris which would then cause further collisions between objects.
Why is this dangerous?
- Every piece of satellite, space probe, and manned mission has the potential to produce space debris.
- A dead satellite doesn t have anywhere to go, so it remains in its orbit (unless the ground staff has other plans for it like deorbiting it).
- Estimates show that there are at least 600,000 pieces of space junk ranging from 1 cm to 10 cm, and on an average one satellite is destroyed/disabled by space debris each year.
- This would lead to the increased generation and distribution of debris in satellite orbit which could render all space activities and space exploration unviable.
- The Kessler syndrome is dangerous because of the domino effect it causes.
Who is tracking the debris?
Objects larger than 10 cm (4 inches) are currently being tracked by the US Space Surveillance Network. These objects, 22000 in number are the most dangerous in orbit and require special precautions.
Why is it in news?
With so many rocket launches taking place, the likelihood of a Kessler syndrome taking place has increased manifold. Now the rocket launches need to be scheduled as per the availability of a path free of space clutter.
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Kessler Syndrome
National Research Council is one of the private, nonprofit US national academies that provide expert advice on scientific problems. It has recently released a study that says that the amount of debris orbiting the Earth has reached “a tipping point” for collisions, which would in turn generate more of the debris that threatens astronauts and satellites. There is an urgent need of an strategic plan for mitigating the hazards posed by spent rocket bodies, discarded satellites and thousands of other pieces of junk flying around the planet at speeds of 28,164 km per hour.
What is Orbital Debris?
- Orbital debris is the man made junk scattered in the space around the earth. Earth’s gravity traps these man made objects and particles into orbiting (revolving) around it. .
- As per the NASA estimates, half century of space exploration has cluttered the space above the earth’s atmosphere with millions of detectable objects.
- The agency estimates that about 19,000 of these objects are larger than 10cm and another 500,000 particles are between 1 to 10 cm in diameter.
- Thus, majority of the estimated millions of pieces of space debris are small particles, less than 1 centimetre (0.39 in).
- These include dust from solid rocket motors, surface degradation products such as paint flakes, and coolant released by RORSAT nuclear powered satellites. Starting from dead satellite the list includes spent parts of rockets and other particles which are released during the flight of any spacecraft.
How big is Risk?
- Orbital debris poses a threat to the approximately 1,000 operational commercial, military and civilian satellites orbiting the Earth.
- The world’s first space smashup occurred in 2009 when a working Iridium communications satellite and a non-operational Russian satellite collided 789 km over Siberia, generating thousands of new pieces of orbital debris.
- The crash followed China’s destruction in 2007 of one of its defunct weather satellites as part of a widely condemned anti-satellite missile test.
- Since these particles travel at a speed of 7 to 10 km per second, any collision of the debris among themselves or with any satellite will release a considerable amount of energy.
- We should not that the Operational spacecrafts are usually protected by debris shield and most of them can withstand the impact of particles which are 1 cm or lesser in diameter and the probability of collision of spacecraft with a particle larger than 10 cm is very low.
What is Kessler Syndrome?
- The probability of a collission of a space craft with a particle more than 10 cm is very rare. But a large density of the orbital junk is capable of causing a chain collisions.
- This has been named the “Kessler Syndrome” by NASA consultant Donald J. Kessler. One collision will create more debris and increase the likelihood of further collisions. Such collisions will destroy satellites worth millions of dollars and could render space exploration unfeasible for centuries.
Does this junk ultimately falls on earth?
- Yes. Most of these objects and particles will ultimately fall to earth. This is because of the fact that earth’s gravitational pull the orbits of these particles are gradually decreasing. Depending on their distance from earth the period of the orbital decay, the gradual decrease in the orbits, varies from few years to several centuries.
- It takes few years for the debris left below 600 km to fall back while the objects left above 1000 kms will circle earth for centuries. Most of these particles can’t withstand the heat generated during the re-entry and has so far not caused any serious damage.
What are Graveyard Orbits?
- Graveyard orbit is a Supersynchronous orbit where spacecraft are intentionally placed at the end of their operational life. Ideally after their operational life old satellites are pushed to graveyard orbits. In many cases the maneuver of old satellites is difficult and they have to be left at the original orbits causing threat for the newer ones.
Is cleanup easy?
No. The cleaning up is difficult and will be expensive and hence the only thing that the global community could do is not to stop the increase in unnecessary waste in the orbits which are considered as useful natural resources.