Elon Musk Podcast Space Debris, Nuclear Rockets, and Artemis II—This Week in Space
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Jan 29, 2026 A global summit tackles the growing space debris crisis and calls for coordinated solutions. Mega-constellations and collision risk drive talk of cleanup tech like nets, harpoons, and lasers. NASA’s wet dress rehearsal for Artemis II and supply chain contributions get attention. Advances in nuclear thermal rockets promise faster Mars transit and lower radiation risk. Industry maturation and responsibility are recurring themes.
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Space Industry Entering A Reckoning
- The commercial space industry is shifting from a gold-rush to a mature phase that demands accountability.
- Global cooperation is now essential to address accumulated legacy debris in orbit.
Orbit Allocation Meets Debris Management
- Orbit allocation and debris management are converging as linked policy issues.
- More satellites mean higher collision risk and a feedback loop of growing debris.
Debris Solver Competition Sparks Innovation
- The conference hosted a Debris Solver Competition showcasing nets, harpoons, lasers, and robotic arms.
- Entrepreneurs see cleaning up space junk as a viable business opportunity.