In 2025, ClearSpace-1, the first space mission to clear the sky of thousands of objects left in orbit from previous missions and expeditions, will begin
Around the Earth, in addition to working satellites, there are thousands of disused satellites and junk material orbiting, posing a danger to crews, the International Space Station ISS and active satellites. For this reason, the European Space Agency ESA has decided to promote a commercial action to push also private companies to present useful projects. The fruits of planning should be seen in 2025 with the launch of the first ClearSpace-1 mission.
The debris is composed of disused satellites, remaining propulsion rockets, metal panels and other small elements. Over the next decade, the number of active satellites emploied to provide communication and surveillance services, including 5G minisatellites, is expected to increase by one order of magnitude. It is therefore essential to clean up the Earth’s (especially low) orbit in order to allow the proper functioning of the networks, without forgetting the safety of any human crews.
In a video produced by ESA, it is shown clearly the importance of the problem.
