The space debris problem won\u2019t solve itself. We\u2019ve been kicking the can down the road for years as we continue launching more rockets and payloads into space. In the last couple of years, organizations\u2014especially the European Space Association\u2014have begun to address the problem more seriously.<\/p>\n
Now they\u2019re asking this question: What will it take to reach zero space debris?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n At first glance, it may seem unreal, maybe naive. There are billions of pieces of space junk orbiting Earth, and more than 25,000 of those pieces are larger than 10 cm. Though small, these pieces are travelling fast and can cause significant damage when impacting satellites or space stations. What will it take to get rid of all this debris?<\/p>\n The ESA has released the Zero Debris Technical Booklet to elucidate the challenges to a zero-debris future and propose solutions to get there. The Booklet\u2019s development follows the signing of the\u00a0Zero Debris Charter\u00a0by members of the Zero-Debris<\/span> community. <\/p>\n \u201cDespite several initiatives for space debris mitigation in recent years and modest improvements in public awareness, there is a general consensus that more ambitious actions are urgently needed from all space stakeholders to prevent, mitigate, and remediate debris,\u201d the report states. The report points out that the Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space outlines how access to space is hindered by debris. <\/p>\n The booklet defines zero debris targets and presents \u201ctechnical needs, solutions and key enablers\u201d that can help organizations achieve them. <\/p>\n The obvious first step is to cease creating more debris. <\/p>\n It begins with avoiding the unintentional release of debris. Exposure to the space environment can degrade materials during missions and beyond their end date, and unintentional impacts can also release debris. The Booklet promotes the \u201cDevelopment of multi-layer insulation and coating technologies preventing long-term degradation of materials\u201d and similar developments for materials that can resist impacts. Improved monitoring, simulations, and testing can help us get there. <\/p>\n The Booklet also points out the need for different propulsion technologies. Some propulsion technologies release enormous quantities of small particles. The Booklet promotes the development of alternate propulsion systems based on things like electromagnetic tethers, momentum-transfer tethers, and drag or solar radiation pressure augmentation devices. <\/p>\n The Booklet also points out how improved Space Traffic surveillance and Coordination (STC) can help solve the problem. \u201cImproved STC will help prevent collisions and reduce the occurrence of unnecessary collision avoidance manoeuvres,\u201d the Booklet states. <\/p>\n That will require a technological solution, but different space agencies will also have to share information, which some will be more reluctant to do than others. The Technical Booklet explains that standardized guidelines will need to be developed and adopted for this to happen.<\/p>\n For existing debris, removal is the only solution. \u201cFor space objects which fail to de-orbit themselves for whatever reason, external means can be used to remove these objects from orbit,\u201d the Booklet states. <\/p>\n That begins with assessing defunct satellites to determine the best way to de-orbit them. Are they at risk of breaking up due to de-orbiting methods? Once assessed, we need to develop reliable and configurable methods to remove them. That means a technological approach will be needed, as will communication between different space-faring nations. <\/p>\n The Booklet states that this will require the \u201cDevelopment of interoperable interfaces and requirements that facilitate removal for different types and sizes of objects (e.g. large\/Small Spacecraft, launcher stages and elements, constellation spacecraft), adapted for different orbital regions (e.g. LEO, MEO, GEO), for different Disposal strategies (e.g. controlled, uncontrolled re-entry, orbital transfer to graveyard orbit), and with easy adoption in mind,\u201d the Booklet explains.<\/p>\n De-orbiting systems could be as simple as deployable solar sails like the experimental Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment-7 (CanX-7.) It was launched in 2016 and achieved a decay rate of 20\/km per year. <\/p>\n While the CanX-7 and other similar systems are passive, there are also designs for Active Debris Removal (ADR).<\/p>\n One ADR system is Clearspace-1. It will demonstrate technologies for rendezvousing, capturing, and de-orbiting an end-of-life satellite called PROBA-1. After capture, both Clearspace-1 and PROBA-1 will plummet into Earth\u2019s atmosphere and be destroyed. <\/p>\n \n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Sails-Deployed-2-small-1024x729.jpg\")