2022 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Space Pollution

What is the environmental impact of commercial space exploration? Sixty-five years ago, one satellite orbited Earth. Today, that number has risen to more than 20,000.

As private space exploration surges, so do new kinds of pollution. Light trails from hundreds of satellite “constellations” streak across sensitive astronomical imagery. Debris from defunct or destroyed satellites that remain in orbit pose collision risks to other satellites—commercial, civil, and military, not to mention orbiting space telescopes. Large chunks of debris that de-orbit do so uncontrollably, putting Earth’s surface at risk.

#SpacePollution #NeildeGrasseTyson #AsimovDebate #SpaceX #satellites #AMNH #ScienceDebate #ScienceLecture #AmericanMuseumofNaturalHistory #SpaceJunk #Astrophysics

How do we balance the needs of industry and the needs of science? How do we create a sustainable space exploration industry?

Join Neil deGrasse Tyson, the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium, and our panel of experts representing various sectors on this issue for a dynamic discussion about the environmental implications of the private space exploration era.

2020 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Alien Life

2018 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Artificial Intelligence

2017 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: De-Extinction

2016 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Is the Universe a Simulation?

2015 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Water, Water

2014 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Selling Space

2013 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: The Existence of Nothing

2012 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: Faster Than the Speed of Light

2011 Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate: The Theory of Everything

2022 Asimov Panelists:

Colonel Scott Brodeur
Director, National Space Defense Center and Director of Operations, Joint Task Force Space Defense, United States Space Command

Moriba K. Jah
Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, University of Texas at Austin

Therese Jones
Senior Director of Policy for the Satellite Industry Association

Meredith Rawls
Research Scientist, Vera C. Rubin Observatory Data Management

Aparna Venkatesan
Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of San Francisco

Connie Walker
Scientist at National Science Foundation's NOIRLab

The late Dr. Isaac Asimov, one of the most prolific and influential authors of our time, was a dear friend and supporter of the American Museum of Natural History. In his memory, the Hayden Planetarium is honored to host the annual Isaac Asimov Memorial Debate—generously endowed by relatives, friends, and admirers of Isaac Asimov and his work—bringing the finest minds in the world to the Museum each year to debate pressing questions on the frontier of scientific discovery. Proceeds from ticket sales of the Isaac Asimov Memorial Debates benefit the scientific and educational programs of the Hayden Planetarium.

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© American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

[jwonderfulsuccess]

Exciting! In 2023 let's please move this to an auditorium with an audience. These Issac asimov debates are globally treasured 🙏

[snowballeffect]

if we stick to the car analogy, it's basically lead to the destruction of our planet and country. there are entire swathes of land paved and dedicated to parking that are barely used. 30k Americans die every year. Unless we're living in our vehicles, we basically barely use them. The solution to the car problem (high-speed public transport) maybe more applicable than it appears on first blush. Having satellites decommission themselves is a start, but having fewer satellites do more science and work should also be considered. We can also accelerate orbital decay be releasing pockets of gas in the path of detritus. If carbon nanotubules can finally be commercialized, scientific instruments can be safely launched and recovered rapidly and allowing for rapid upgrades and decommissioning.

[mrpearson]

YES!!! About time! Been waiting on this thankyou! I've seen all other uploaded Isaac Asimov videos since 2010. Got a question though.. Should any of the other previous topics be revisited because as we know science is always changing which of course is a good thing! Not everyone is aware of this fact!

[kylepollard]

we're back! I hope 2023 is at the Hayden Planetlarium. This is great!

[HebaruSan]

Today I learned that Neil deGrasse Tyson thinks of a bathtub as a multi-person shared space

[danielvazquez]

Of all the reasons why management and cleanup of space debris need to be done, obstruction of light should not be one of them. Seems to me that makes a mockery of the situation. Especially when one considers how earths atmosphere absorbs between one and two hundred tons from space each and every day (naturally).

[jwonderfulsuccess]

HI there! I'm looking for the privilege of experiencing the Isaac asimov debate 2019 and 2021. Anyone know where I can access them?🙏

[happylittlemonk]

The real tragedy is each one of those dots costed $100M to $1B to launch

[zair]

A partial solution would be to have a system to "relaunch" orbital objects to collide with Earth. Maybe a chemical reaction (like airbags >> solid to gas) or some fuel to direct the object to the height where objects are trapped into Earth gravity to be burned in atmosphere or fall at some place. If most of material are burnable, there will be no worries.
It could relate to a life time, to be relaunched after specific x years, or "80%" of what the life expectancy is calculated.

And to prevent kinetic collisions between satellites, sensors and so on.
Even after the collision, a strong polymer net surrounding the object could keep some larger broken pieces together, diminishing debris. Or even using small strong magnets who would be exposed after a collision to enhance the chances of grouping small pieces.

Some thoughts I had now... there are many simple solutions when attached to the initial design.

[Robbie_jojo]

Thankyou, i was waiting for this series video... Love you neil

[wesleyrodgers]

Physics. Astronomy. History. The bible. Shakespeare. Biology. Limericks....Asimov was a true polymath.

[saitmardin]

Why are the view numbers so low for this one?

[iam]

A very relevant and important debate 👍🏽

[happylittlemonk]

No wonder aliens have not visited us. They cannot see Earth through all those junk

[evan_vangelisskoupras]

So, why don't they use the SDI program to take these off if they're tracked if its lasers are so powerful? Couldn't they melt at least the smaller ones?

[torjones]

Oh, thank goodness, I was starting to get withdrawal from not getting my annual fix...

[MohamedSaad-irql]

When was the big bang based on our galaxy what would happen from the next door>

[cstyles]

i don't know how this one snuck passed me for 5 months. I was waiting for an Isaac Asimov debate to be announced or something, but I heard nothing about it until I do another google search for it.

[trabzzy]

Sway lee a scientist now ? That’s crazy lol

[josephdonais]

COVID and convenance sucks in so many ways. Under a star lit canopy, around the campfire of treat and storytelling did we conspire to lose ourselves to technology. It would be so nice if we could keep that much of ourselves, no matter what is discussed. A dream was the moon and flight then. Yet ironically, more impossible is my dream, *(at least the stage required a physical presents).