Scientists are raising concerns about the increasing number of satellites burning up in Earth's atmosphere, releasing harmful chemicals that damage the ozone layer. The space industry has seen a tenfold increase in satellites over the past 15 years, with projections suggesting that 100,000 satellites could orbit Earth within the next decade. Most of these belong to megaconstellations like SpaceX's Starlink, which plans to replace satellites every five years, leading to more atmospheric reentries.
U.K. start-up Space Forge proposes a solution: designing satellites to survive reentry for refurbishment and reuse. Their approach involves developing large foldable heat shields to protect materials during atmospheric entry. Andrew Bacon, Space Forge's CTO, emphasized the economic benefits of returning intact satellites instead of letting them burn up.
In addition, Patrick Neumann from Australian startup Neumann Space introduced a novel propulsion system that could recycle satellite materials in orbit. This system would utilize aluminum from old satellites as fuel, potentially reducing space debris while creating a sustainable resource.
Meanwhile, the SWOT satellite mission, a collaboration between NASA and France's CNES, has successfully monitored water levels in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord after a tsunami triggered by a rockslide. Launched in December 2022, SWOT uses advanced radar technology to measure water elevation, providing critical data for disaster preparedness and environmental monitoring.
As the space industry evolves, these innovations aim to mitigate environmental impacts while enhancing our understanding of Earth’s systems.