SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR SPACE DEBRIS

At present, in addition to several thousands of satellites for various applications, there are more than 900,000 pieces from 1 to 10 cm in Earth-orbit. This has been estimated by the European Space Agency (ESA). Furthermore, as time passes, these satellites represent debris. Such accumulated debris threaten the daily uses of space-based applications satellites and future missions. The potential danger would persist unless the international space community considers the risks and join forces to mitigate the danger. Today, only ideas have been proposed by the various space agencies without taking much action. Each of these ideas deals with a specific size of debris. Thus, this paper proposes an integrated design to remedy the situation. It is a satellite with robotic arms, electromagnetic mesh and onboard radar to detect, collect, shred and sort most of the debris larger than 1 cm. This material can, thus, be used as a source of raw material in a novel “made in space program.” It can be used as row material for 3d printers for metal and non-metals needed for the maintenance of the International Space Station (ISS) and other equipment of future space missions. This proposal is a premiere design and a start of a pilot model. Also proposed here is a recommendation for a sustainable financing model that can be established by space agencies by assigning a tariff for each future space flight. The tariff value could be determined based on, the extent of the mission’s lifetime, the size of the satellite, and the purpose of the mission.