The Space Junk Epidemic: Can We Clean Up The Mess Before It Destroys Our Satellites? | Space Smash

The orbit that most satellites inhabit is getting crowded -- not only with operating satellites but also space debris from broken satellites and pieces of broken satellites. It's the debris that's generally out of control and is responsible for more and more collisions. Space Smash explores the problem and reviews programs to alleviate the situation. Some programs are being developed by individual nations, other programs are joint international efforts.
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#SpaceJunk #Space #SpaceDebris

[keithmetcalf]

I've worked in the sanitation field several years before and there was something extremely satisfying about cleaning up a mess and making it clean again so maybe I can get a job in cleaning up the universe? Ok I'll start with the galaxy lol, Let's Go! 🌌😎

[jondenmark]

Soon astronauts will have to hope they make it through the space junk before they even think about leaving earth

[DrGoodnSexy]

Standard human behaviour. Leave mess and destruction everywhere we go. An orbital collection and containment unit is probably the best we could do at the mo.

[mikefugate]

there needs to be international laws holding country's that are responsible for other satellite damage , to be accountable for compensation, that will change everything

[odenshiddentreasure]

That’s why there is a treaty THAT EXIST never to have WAR in space MAY THE TRUTH ALWAYS PREVAIL

[williambailey]

how have we lasted this long. the plastic continent floating around in the oceans wasnt enough, we needed another of metal in space. we are worse than a little kid with a book of matches playing in a dried out hay barn. this was depressing....

[jkc]

That one scene from "Gravity"....

[misty]

Wow each piece of space junk is moving 17k per hour!!! That's crazy

[jameserwin]

So the earth now has its own ring system 😜

[supejc]

*in chant*
What do we want?
Warships
When do we want it?
Warships

[Firstthunder]

It’s really tough to find this quality of community feedback. Thanks everyone, for your two cents. I learned more from the comments than from the content.

[lynnfarley]

Timing in finding this video was perfect. I was just discussing this issue with a family member. He thought i was being extreme.

[SM]

I knew about orbiting debris since 1983, and have always wondered when I would watch a program telling the story. Very interesting.

[Alvin-eqrc]

We’re so used to the convenience these satellites provide in our day to day. Hard to imagine without them

[SubvertTheState]

I know this is nitpicky, but i gotta get a bit technical. 10:00 he describes reentry compressing the atmosphere in front of the object resulting in combustion, while sometimes combustion might take place, it's often much more destructive than that. When a vehicle or debris begins to enter the atmosphere, it will begin slamming into air molecules, first a thin vapor, then a super heated plasma forms on the shockwave. The air can't get out of the way fast enough, only at the speed of sound which the object is often moving at Mach 15. This extreme temperature turns the outside layers of the object to vapor, everything has a melting, boiling point and a temperature where it becomes a plasma. Plasma is conductive, i believe this is why a capsule is under a radio blackout during reentry. Many heat shields are designed to vaporize away slowly, taking the superheated outside of the shield off. This is the reason why many smaller objects pose no collision risk, they are literally vaporized by their own kenetic energy.

[traviscapehart]

It is well known that occasionally the iss must adjust orbit in order to avoid a collision with any one of several objects that cross its orbit. This only responds to objects bigger than a soda can. A penetrating debris collision from a fast moving undetected object is a fear they all must live with. And you thought the highway was scary!

[Placeholderdo]

I'll be seeing that wrench in my nightmares

[Acolyte]

When Sputnik 1 fell to earth in a ball of fire and metal shards in 1958, little did we know back then just how dangerous space debris was going to become. So when a fiery lump of metal the size of a small bin smashed into our roof - it was then that we realised the danger of space junk - not only to space programs, but the danger all of us will have to live with.

[niceone]

So we “humans” pollute earth and space ? This breaks my heart!

[matthewkashnig]

Soon we'll learn to just bounce our signals off the junk envelope. Trust it works 😁