Kessler syndrome

Space

ESA sets its sights on harpooning space debris

In 2021, ESA plans to launch the e.DeOrbit mission, which is aimed at cleaning up space debris. The agency has now announced plans to examine the potential for the mission to use space harpoons to capture large items, such as derelict satellites and the upper stages of rockets.

Space

We nearly lost Fermi: The problem of orbital debris

The Fermi gamma-ray space telescope and a Soviet-era spy satellite nearly collided in orbit last year.

Representation of a satellite being destroyed by collision with orbital debris (Image: ESA)

Space

Space debris: Where does it come from, and what can we do about it?

NASA and cooperating agencies are building a DebriSat, which will be demolished by a hunk of aluminum traveling at over 4 miles/second (6.4 km/s), to modernize orbital collision models.