War in Space Episode 36: Are We Running Out of Space?
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Dec 21, 2023 Join John Janka, Chief Officer of Global Government Affairs at Viasat, as he dives into the pressing challenges of space sustainability. He explores the growing threat of Kessler syndrome, where overcrowded orbits could spell disaster for future missions. The discussion highlights the clash over orbital resources among companies and stresses the need for international collaboration. Janka also emphasizes a data-driven approach to mitigate space debris and ensure safe satellite operations, revealing the complexities of navigating our increasingly congested cosmos.
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Orbital Congestion Concerns
- Orbital congestion is a growing problem, fueled by a spike in commercial space activity and debris.
- This increase in objects, especially in low Earth orbit, has several negative impacts on Earth.
Kessler Syndrome and Other Risks
- The Kessler Syndrome, a catastrophic chain reaction of collisions, is a concern, but smaller, still serious, events are also possible.
- These range from individual orbits becoming unusable to general difficulty maneuvering, similar to a debris-filled freeway.
Orbital Access Concerns
- Emerging space powers worry about a lack of orbital access due to existing constellations.
- Congestion impacts orbital lanes, transit to higher orbits, radio spectrum use, astronomy, and Earth's atmosphere.