Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe Space Debris (featuring Dr. Jonathan McDowell)
Dec 31, 2024
Dr. Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, discusses the escalating issue of space debris and its implications. The conversation delves into how satellite proliferation, particularly from companies like Starlink, has intensified debris challenges. McDowell emphasizes the complexities of tracking this junk and the potential military ramifications of anti-satellite tech. He also highlights innovative solutions and collaborative efforts needed to tackle this growing environmental crisis in orbit.
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Early Space Debris Concerns
- In 1962, the US detonated a high-altitude nuclear bomb, disrupting satellites and raising concerns about space technology's future.
- This led to the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1963, restricting nuclear testing in space.
Space Junk Variety
- Approximately 25,000 trackable space objects exist, ranging from large satellites to small debris.
- The first tracked object wasn't Sputnik, but the rocket stage used to launch it.
Exploding Rocket Stages
- Abandoned rocket stages with leftover fuel can explode years later, creating hundreds of debris pieces.
- This is due to the mixing of fuel and oxidizer after the separating gaskets erode.