Space junk

[serhiy1635]

I saw an interesting topic about space junk, and I think it should receive some attention. The consideration to keep in mind is called space junk, we got quite some trash up there in orbit of our planet. It's considered not to be a problem due that the size of the object would burn in our atmosphere. What do we do about space junk? Is there a possibility that space junk might be dangerous for Earth? How to solve the problem with space junk?

 

[Helio]

It's highly unlikely that any of the smaller junk could have any effect for us down here, but it can be, and is, a threat for those in space, as well as, the satellites and space craft.

The ISS, for example, had to alter it's course slightly to avoid an impact. This changed the window for us to conduct a special Friday night light flashing event from the ground to them that was scheduled. [Fortunately, the following night's window of opportunity remained and we were successful, but it was a surprise to see that the large ISS must alter its orbit to avoid debris.]

There have been some articles regarding solutions to removing a lot of that junk.

 

[serhiy1635]

As far as I've heard, all companies are now thinking about the consequences even at the development stage. Some are following the path of more technological production and the use of new materials. Other companies are calculating where, when, and how the satellite or other waste material will return. Yes, there is now a small threat of collision with space junk, but this problem is already on the top list of all space manufacturers.

Is it possible to recycle this junk or somehow bring it to Earth and recycle it here, not to have problems because of space junk for future space missions and projects?

 

[serhiy1635]

Japanese startup Astroscale will launch a satellite to clean up space debris. The Japanese propose to remove non-working satellites and dropped missile sections from orbit using a satellite with magnetic panels, which will attract such objects.
Engineers from Switzerland are developing space debris evacuator. ClearSpace SA project.

The Japanese State Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) plans to develop a satellite that will use a laser beam to shoot down space debris (artificial objects in low-Earth orbit and their fragments, for example, the debris of rocket stages that are no longer functional but pose a danger to operating manned and unmanned vehicles) into the atmosphere where it will burn. The European Space Agency signed an agreement with the Swiss startup ClearSpace at the end of 2019 to launch a space debris machine in 2025. The satellite will have to de-orbit a large part of the Vega rocket, which was launched back in 2013.

The new British company Skyrora has already tested a 3D printed rocket engine on recycled plastic fuel.
So yes, there are many ways to reduce the impact on both space and Earth.

Ooh, it would be a very interesting and useful mission. This is the mission we really need to do because that debris can harm rewed and uncrewed spacecraft as you have already mentoned.