Space Waste & Debris The Biggest Problem in near Future.
                     Space Waste & Debris: 
The Biggest Problem in 
near Future
What is Space Debris?
• According to NASA, the term space debris encompasses both natural particles (meteoroids 
mostly in orbit around the sun) and artificial particles (man-made debris mostly in orbit around the 
Earth).
Source: www.rubicon.com
Man-Made Object
• NASA and the IADC (Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee) define space debris 
as any man-made object in orbit around the Earth that no longer serves a useful function.
Source: www.rubicon.com
Non-Functional Satellites
• Every year, hundreds of satellites are launched into space by cell phone, television, GPS 
receiver, and major communication companies. Regardless of their purpose, all satellites 
eventually wear out over time.
Source: www.rubicon.com
Abandoned launch vehicle stages
• Modern space shuttles are a piggyback of several rockets stacked on top of one another. When 
space shuttles launch it usually takes more than one rocket to power them into space. The 
additional rockets are fired off in stages.
Source: www.rubicon.com
Solid-Fuel Rockets
• Some space shuttles use solid rocket fuel for propulsion since this type of fuel can remain in 
storage for long periods of time while also remaining reliable for short notice launches.
•  Like the upper stages, these fuel containers detach and are left to float in Earth’s orbit.
Source: www.rubicon.com
Tiny flecks of paint
• Millions of tiny pieces of paint may exist in the Earth’s orbit. Things such as heat when leaving 
the atmosphere or impacts with other particles can chip the paint free from launched satellites 
and other spacecraft.
Source: www.rubicon.com
Space debris visibility
• When we look at breathtaking images of Earth, we don’t see the landfill that surrounds it because 
of size ratio. 
• The Earth is 7,917.5 miles across and much of the space debris is simply traveling too fast and is 
just too small in comparison.
Source: www.rubicon.com
How does space debris cause 
problems in space?
• NASA also points out that being hit by a piece of debris smaller than half an inch around, as it 
travels at about six miles per second, would be like being hit by a bowling ball traveling at 300 
miles per hour.
Source: www.rubicon.com
How does space debris cause 
problems on Earth?
• The density of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) is high enough that collisions between objects 
could cause a cascade where each collision generates space debris that increases the likelihood 
of further collisions.
Source: www.rubicon.com
How is the global community currently 
dealing with space debris?
• The European Space Agency (ESA) is testing the idea of taking the human component out of a 
spacewalk. Their proposed alternative is a remote-controlled robot named Justin. 
• The US Air Force has been on top of the space debris problem since the early 1980s. In fact, 
they have a specialized team dedicated to cataloging and documenting the issue. 
Source: www.rubicon.com