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Max Polyakov on the Impact of Low Earth Orbit Debris on Future Space Exploration

Wednesday, 16 February 2022 11:45 AM

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / February 16, 2022 / Since the inception of space exploration in the 1960s, humans have had an insatiable appetite for continued galactic innovation. Countries from all around the globe, from Japan to Algeria, have entered a new era of the space race, scrambling to launch their own satellites. Amidst all the exciting technological innovations, this satellite race has created a major issue: space debris.

New Space visionary, entrepreneur, and business leader, Max Polyakov, is well aware of the issues that space debris creates for upcoming satellite missions, as he has dedicated much of his career to space exploration through companies such as Noosphere Ventures and Firefly Aerospace.

"According to different estimates, there are up to 250K objects in low Earth orbit (LEO)," says Max Polyakov. "This poses a serious threat to existing and upcoming satellite launches in that we are now required to design satellites that can quickly dodge debris and avoid collisions. Even debris as small as a screw can cause major issues for space-faring vehicles."

An orbital minefield

While the ambition behind most satellite projects is admirable, the problems that orbital overcrowding is creating are undeniable. Minor collisions and narrowly avoided disasters are not commonly reported in the mainstream media, however the current rate of expansion threatens serious disruptions in everyday services, such as ATM and GPS functionality. Consumers will eventually begin to feel the impact of these accidents in the form of WiFi loss and cell phone signal disruption, potentially impacting our ability to communicate with one another.

"Lower Earth orbit is in some senses a minefield at the moment, with various debris threatening to collide with key satellites at any moment," remarks Max Polyakov. "The danger is constant, but there are several ways in which we can reduce orbital clutter and create a safe opportunity for increased satellite launches from different countries."

A path forward

There are several companies currently working to clear space debris in various ways. Japanese company, Astroscale, successfully launched a test mission in March 2021 that is designed to dock and remove space debris. Additionally, the Active Debris Removal project is set to launch in 2023 with the aim to remove larger pieces of debris from space. Looking forward to 2026, Sky Perfect JSAT hopes to deploy laser satellites to destroy debris in real-time.

Companies in Noosphere's portfolio have also shown a strong commitment to and focus on addressing the growing space debris issue. Space Electric Thruster Systems (SETS) is an aerospace company that is exploring how its subsystems can be used to efficiently decommission satellites from orbit., while D-Orbit, a service provider for the traditional and new space sector, offers clients satellite decommissioning.

"There is no shortage of solutions currently being developed to make the lower earth orbit a safer place for satellites and stations," says Max Polyakov. "While there is still ample room for more innovative solutions to the space debris problem and it's encouraging that key players are already working toward combatting the issue from different angles, we must consider all avenues. For example, legal obligations to remove nonfunctional satellites from the orbit could also be an effective and promising strategy, with some of the necessary regulatory framework for this is already underway."

For further reading on Max Polyakov's expert opinion on the issue of space debris, as well as other space-related topics, visit www.maxpolyakov.com.

Contact: Andrew Mitchell, [email protected]

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SOURCE: Max Polyakov

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Company Update
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