Tag: deorbiting
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Why Scientists Are Worried About Dead Satellites Becoming Space Junk
What is space debris and how do dead satellites become junk? Space debris refers to any human-made object in orbit that no longer serves a purpose. Dead satellites, spent upper stages, and spent rocket bodies can become debris if they are not properly managed at the end of a mission. Even when satellites are designed…
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A Bi-Directional Plasma Thruster for Safe Deorbiting of Space Junk
Understanding Kessler Syndrome and Its Challenges As the problem of space debris escalates, the Kessler Syndrome presents a significant threat to satellites, spacecraft, and future space missions. The phenomenon occurs when the density of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) is high enough that collisions between objects create even more debris, leading to a cascading…