How will it affect Space Exploration and Tourism?
This program begins with part of the LIVE transmission from Mission Control of the launch on April 23, 2021, of the SpaceX Crew Dragon “Endeavor” to the International Space Station. The crew was being informed of a piece of orbital debris that might pass close to their spacecraft. They were told to cover the windows with kevlar blankets, put on their pressurized flight suits, and get into their seats just in case there was an impact that caused a loss of air pressure. Preparations for space junk collisions are now routine.
Meanwhile, at their point of destination, the International Space Station crew, in a monthly inspection, had found that their Canadarm had been pierced by a piece of space debris during March 2021, but remained operational. That is the robotic arms that is used to deploy payloads and maneuver astronauts for outside work on the Space Station.
On July 11, 2021, Richard Branson became the first billionaire in Space. He said: “The trip was aimed at showing the safety of traveling to and from space in an attempt to spur a space-tourism industry.” And you can now sign up for future ticket sales on virgingalactic.com.
The Virgin Galactic Space flight with Branson on board stayed safely below the swirling trajectories of debris in Low Earth Orbit. They avoided being hit by a broken down satellite or fuel tank or even a nut or bolt traveling at 17,000 mph. But just about 50 miles above the Virgin Galactic turning point, accordion to NASA: “the rising population of space debris increases the potential danger to all space vehicles, including to the International Space Station and other spacecraft with humans aboard, such as SpaceX’s Crew Dragon …“
“Low Earth Orbit is now viewed as the World’s largest garbage dump,… there are close to 6,000 tons of materials up there.” Quote by NASA on their website, on May 26, 2021.
On July 4, 2021, a German think tank entitled WELT Group released an updated documentary: SPACE JUNK – Fast And Dangerous. You heard some of their work in the previous TUC Radio program.
The Welt Group is part of the German Mediahouse founded by the late conservative media Tzar Axel Springer. Here is the second part of their report. This is the conclusion of a one hour survey of the status of Space Junk and how fast and dangerous it can be.
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