Space debris puts exploration at risk

doi:10.1126/science.abf2682

GSTDTAP > 气候变化

DOI	10.1126/science.abf2682
	Space debris puts exploration at risk
	Dov Greenbaum
	2020-11-20
发表期刊	Science
出版年	2020
英文摘要	Humans have now lived aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for 20 years ([ 1 ][1]). As we look toward the next 20 years, we must address the dangers that space debris poses to both manned missions and crucial satellites. National policy-makers and international organizations must develop actionable rules and regulations that preserve our ability to explore space. With tens of millions of pieces of space junk rocketing around our planet at thousands of kilometers an hour, debris is a substantial threat to our expanding networks of satellites and even the ISS itself ([ 2 ][2]–[ 4 ][3]). The European Space Agency (ESA) puts much of the blame on the failure to properly dispose of expiring satellites ([ 2 ][2]). The recently signed Artemis Accords similarly point to the value of “end-of-mission planning and implementation [and…] post-mission disposal” in reducing debris ([ 5 ][4]). With the rapid expansion of the satellite orbital population—many of which are relatively cheaply produced with comparatively high failure rates ([ 6 ][5])—this problem will likely get much worse before it gets better. Unfortunately, Cold War cooperation led to rules designed primarily for nation states, not for the corporations that are now launching literally thousands of new satellites. Meanwhile, the nation states have mostly neglected to implement the necessary local space regulations that would promote the long-term sustainability of equitable space exploration. This tragedy of the commons will damage the space environment and eventually impair commercial space endeavors. Space debris threatens efforts ranging from the emerging mini-satellite mega-constellations that aim to democratize internet access to space tourism. In a worst case scenario, orbital debris could start a self-sustaining cascade of destruction that would litter the Low Earth Orbit with enough debris to make it effectively unusable ([ 7 ][6]). To maintain a sustainable space environment, all states and their nationals must take responsibility for reducing the creation of new space debris. Both nations and private corporations should design more reliable satellites that are less likely to malfunction, deorbit satellites before they become inoperable and hazardous, and promote the emerging private-sector industries that are collecting defunct satellites and repairing and refueling older satellites. Developing public-private collaborations can enhance the tracking of even small man-made particles zooming around in orbit. The United Nations' Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) may be the most appropriate forum to accomplish these goals. COPUOS can provide both the desperately needed development of norms, the required regulatory support, and the necessary scientific and technical expertise to direct these efforts. During the past 20 years, astronauts on the ISS have conducted space-based research representing the work of scientists from more than 100 countries ([ 1 ][1]), and science diplomacy has often prefaced cross-boundary collaboration on Earth. We must preserve the amazing opportunities space exploration provides by developing better sustainable practices before it is too late. 1. [↵][7]National Aeronautics and Space Administration, “International Space Station facts and figures” (2020); [www.nasa.gov/feature/facts-and-figures][8]. 2. [↵][9]ESA, “The current state of space debris” (2020); [www.esa.int/Safety\_Security/Space\_Debris/The\_current\_state\_of\_space_debris][10]. 3. ESA, “Space Debris by the numbers” (2020); [www.esa.int/Safety\_Security/Space\_Debris/Space\_debris\_by\_the\_numbers][11]. 4. [↵][12]1. R. Khatchadourian , “The elusive peril of space junk,” The New Yorker (2020). 5. [↵][13]“The Artemis Accords: Principles for cooperation in the civil exploration and use of the Moon, Mars, Comets, and Asteroids for peaceful purposes” (2020), pp. 6–7; [www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-accords/img/Artemis-Accords-signed-13Oct2020.pdf][14]. 6. [↵][15]1. S. A Jacklin , “Small-satellite mission failure rates,” NASA Technical Memorandum (2019); . 7. [↵][16]1. D. J. Kessler , J. Spacecraft Rockets 18, 357 (1981). [OpenUrl][17] [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #ref-2 [3]: #ref-4 [4]: #ref-5 [5]: #ref-6 [6]: #ref-7 [7]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [8]: http://www.nasa.gov/feature/facts-and-figures [9]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text" [10]: http://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/Space_Debris/The_current_state_of_space_debris [11]: http://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/Space_Debris/Space_debris_by_the_numbers [12]: #xref-ref-4-1 "View reference 4 in text" [13]: #xref-ref-5-1 "View reference 5 in text" [14]: http://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-accords/img/Artemis-Accords-signed-13Oct2020.pdf [15]: #xref-ref-6-1 "View reference 6 in text" [16]: #xref-ref-7-1 "View reference 7 in text" [17]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJ.%2BSpacecraft%2BRockets%26rft.volume%253D18%26rft.spage%253D357%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx
领域	气候变化 ; 资源环境
URL	查看原文
引用统计
文献类型	期刊论文
条目标识符	http://119.78.100.173/C666/handle/2XK7JSWQ/304378
专题	气候变化资源环境科学
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714	Dov Greenbaum. Space debris puts exploration at risk[J]. Science,2020.
APA	Dov Greenbaum.(2020).Space debris puts exploration at risk.Science.
MLA	Dov Greenbaum."Space debris puts exploration at risk".Science (2020).