Satellites orbiting the Earth are growing crazy – how do we prevent them from crashing?

Satellites orbiting the Earth are growing crazy – how do we prevent them from crashing?

In recent years, satellites have become smaller, cheaper, and easier to build with commercial off-the-shelf parts. Some even weigh less than One gram. This means that more people can afford to send it into orbit. Now, satellite operators are starting to launch massive constellations – groups of hundreds or even thousands of small satellites working together – in Earth orbit.

Instead of one large satellite, groups of small satellites can provide coverage for the entire planet at once. Civilian, military and private operators are increasingly using the towers to create global, continuous coverage of the Earth. Towers can provide a variety of functions, including climate monitoring, disaster management, or digital connectivity, such as satellite broadband.

But to provide coverage for the entire planet with small satellites it takes a lot of them. Moreover, they are required to rotate close to the ground surface to reduce coverage interruptions and connection delays. This means that it occupies an already congested area of ​​space called low Earth orbit, which is 100 to 2000 km above the Earth’s surface.

There are several issues associated with bringing multiple satellites into orbit, from Junk space hazards to me Our view is obstructed From the night sky. But the shift toward massive constellations is also a challenge for global space management.

exist Nearly 3,000 active satellites In Earth orbit today, this is set To rise In the coming years. The European Commission, for example, recently Announce your plans To launch thousands of satellites into Earth orbit, as well as a growing list of massive tower launches planned.

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