{"id":1899,"date":"2013-04-26T05:02:04","date_gmt":"2013-04-26T05:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=1899"},"modified":"2013-04-26T05:02:04","modified_gmt":"2013-04-26T05:02:04","slug":"esa-conference-on-space-debris-finds-consensus-on-need-to-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=1899","title":{"rendered":"ESA conference on space debris finds consensus on need to act"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>An ESA sponsored conference on space debris finds a consensus on the need to act on the problem:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/Our_Activities\/Operations\/Space_Debris\/Global_experts_agree_action_needed_on_space_debris\" target=\"_d\">Global experts agree action needed on space debris <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>25 April 2013<\/em> There is an urgent need to remove orbiting space debris and to fly satellites in the future without creating new fragments, Europe\u2019s largest-ever space-debris conference announced today.<\/p>\n<p>The findings from the 6th European Conference on Space Debris were released during the concluding press briefing at ESA\u2019s European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.<\/p>\n<p>Future space missions must be sustainable, including safe disposal when they are completed. The current levels mean that we must soon begin removing debris from orbit, with research and development urgently needed for pilot \u2018cleaning\u2019 missions.<\/p>\n<p><em><a title=\"Replay of live webcast\" href=\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/Our_Activities\/Operations\/Space_Debris\/Webcast_Concluding_press_conference_6th_European_Conference_on_Space_Debris\" target=\"_blank\">Watch media briefing: Findings of the 6th European Conference on Space Debris, 25 April 2013, ESA\/ESOC<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>The removal of space debris is an environmental problem of global dimensions that must be assessed in an international context, including the UN.<\/p>\n<p>These results were presented to over 350 worldwide participants representing almost all the major national space agencies, industry, governments, academia and research institutes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is a wide and strong expert consensus on the pressing need to act now to begin debris removal activities,\u201d says Heiner Klinkrad, Head of ESA\u2019s Space Debris Office.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<div id=\"pi_player\">Loading&#8230;<\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"http:\/\/spaceinvideos.esa.int\/extension\/esadam\/design\/standard\/flash\/jwplayer.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\njwplayer(\"pi_player\").setup({\n\t'dock': 'true',\n\t'image': 'http:\/\/spaceinvideos.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/videos\/2013\/04\/the_space_debris_story_2013\/12640981-3-eng-GB\/The_Space_Debris_Story_2013_video_production_full.png',\t\n\t'wmode': 'transparent',\n\t'height': '250',\n\t'width': '400',\n\t'controlbar': 'bottom',\n\t'quality': 'true',\n\t'modes': [\n\t\t\t{ 'type': 'flash', 'src': 'http:\/\/spaceinvideos.esa.int\/extension\/esadam\/design\/standard\/flash\/player.swf',\n\t\t\t\t'config': {\n\t\t\t\t\t'file': 'mp4:download\/public\/videos\/2013\/04\/024\/1304_024_AR_EN.mp4',\t\n\t\t\t\t\t'streamer': 'rtmp:\/\/fms.50E6.edgecastcdn.net\/8050E6\/multimedia-delivery.esa.int',\n\t\t\t\t\t'provider': 'rtmp'\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t},\n\t\t\t{ 'type': 'html5',\n\t\t\t\t'config': {\n\t\t\t\t\t'file': 'http:\/\/wpc.50E6.edgecastcdn.net\/8050E6\/mmedia-http\/download\/public\/videos\/2013\/04\/024\/1304_024_AR_EN.mp4',\n\t\t\t\t\t'provider': 'video'\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t]\n});<\/script><\/div>\n<p><strong>Expert consensus on the need to act<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is a wide and strong expert consensus on the pressing need to act now to begin debris removal activities,\u201d says Heiner Klinkrad, Head of ESA\u2019s Space Debris Office.<\/p>\n<div>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/ESA_Multimedia\/Images\/2013\/04\/Future_debris_density_at_poles\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Future debris density at poles with and without active debris removal\" src=\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2013\/04\/future_debris_density_at_poles\/12643998-1-eng-GB\/Future_debris_density_at_poles_medium.jpg\" width=\"305\" height=\"172\" \/> <\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Future debris density at poles with and without active debris removal<\/em>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cOur understanding of the growing space debris problem can be compared with our understanding of the need to address Earth\u2019s changing climate some 20 years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There was wide agreement that the continuing growth in space debris poses an increasing threat to economically and scientifically vital orbital regions.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to providing daily benefits to citizens and economies, today\u2019s satellite infrastructure has immense value. The replacement cost for the approximately 1000 active satellites in orbit today is estimated to be around \u20ac100 billion.\u00a0The impact on the overall economy of losing these satellites would be several orders of magnitude higher.\u00a0Society would be severely damaged.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile measures against further debris creation and actively deorbiting defunct satellites are technically demanding and potentially costly, there is no alternative to protect space as a valuable resource for our critical satellite infrastructure,\u201d he notes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTheir direct costs and the costs of losing them will by far exceed the cost of remedial activities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The findings were delivered by senior researchers and specialists from the DLR German Aerospace Center, France\u2019s CNES space agency, Italy\u2019s ASI space agency, the UK Space Agency, the Committee on Space Research, the International Academy of Astronautics and ESA.<\/p>\n<p><strong>ESA accelerates space debris research and development<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Satellite operators worldwide, including those flying telecom, weather, navigation, broadcast and climate-monitoring missions, are now focusing their efforts on controlling space debris.<\/p>\n<p>The ultimate goal is to prevent a cascade of self-sustaining collisions from setting in over the next few decades.<\/p>\n<p>ESA, as a space technology and operations agency, has identified the development of active removal technologies as a strategic goal.<\/p>\n<p>A number of long-standing space debris-related research activities are being reinforced by the Agency. This includes improving our understanding of the debris environment and its evolution using novel, sensitive measurements and improved modelling of debris sources.<\/p>\n<p>The new Clean Space initiative includes maturing technology to approach, capture and deorbit targets \u2013 a mission is already under study.<\/p>\n<p>Clean Space will also develop techniques to mitigate the problem, such as passive and active deorbiting devices and the means to \u2018passivate\u2019 retiring satellites.<\/p>\n<p>====<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a EuroNews report on the space debris issue:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jSKL9BBEZ0w?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An ESA sponsored conference on space debris finds a consensus on the need to act on the problem: Global experts agree action needed on space debris 25 April 2013 There is an urgent need to remove orbiting space debris and to fly satellites in the future without creating new fragments, Europe\u2019s largest-ever space-debris conference announced &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=1899\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">ESA conference on space debris finds consensus on need to act<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-in-space-infrastructure","category-space-policy"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p34aWK-uD","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6576,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=6576","url_meta":{"origin":1899,"position":0},"title":"ESA e.DeOrbit mission would capture and deorbit a derelict satellite","author":"TopSpacer","date":"February 21, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Here's an item from ESA about an initiative to clean up space debris: How to catch a satellite\u00a0 21 February 2014:\u00a0Standard space dockings are difficult enough, but a future ESA mission plans to capture derelict satellites adrift in orbit. Part of an effort to control space debris, the shopping list\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;In Space Infrastructure&quot;","block_context":{"text":"In Space Infrastructure","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=15"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2013\/09\/netting_a_derelict_satellite\/13016037-1-eng-GB\/Netting_a_derelict_satellite_medium.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15032,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=15032","url_meta":{"origin":1899,"position":1},"title":"&#8220;Debris&#8221; &#8211; an installation artwork by PLEX NOIR","author":"TopSpacer","date":"October 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The\u00a0PLEX NOIR\u00a0artists collective in Germany has created an installation piece titled\u00a0Debris, which is currently on exhibit at the\u00a0Kunsthaus Troisdorf\u00a0in Germany. Debris\u00a0is an installation to illustrate the emergence of space debris through decades of space exploration and commercial space use. The installation utilizes a laser to continuously visualize man-made objects orbiting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Space Arts&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Space Arts","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=20"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/plexnoir_debris-8-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6455,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=6455","url_meta":{"origin":1899,"position":2},"title":"Space policy roundup &#8211; Feb.12.14 [Updated]","author":"TopSpacer","date":"February 12, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Today's set of space policy\/politics related links: California Legislature Guts Knight\u2019s Informed Consent Law - Parabolic Arc FAA Commercial Space Transportation Conference Audio Files Available - SpaceRef Business The 2014 Legislative Blitz is at Capacity! - The Planetary Society SpaceFlight Insider Lt. Gen. Helms departs Vandenberg after blocked promotion and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Space Policy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Space Policy","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":13602,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=13602","url_meta":{"origin":1899,"position":3},"title":"&#8220;Orbital Debris Mitigation Competion&#8221; &#8211; Sponsored by NSS and partners","author":"TopSpacer","date":"December 6, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"A new university student competition: The First Enterprise In Space Competition to Tackle Space Debris Launched by Enterprise In Space & Kepler Space Institute Washington, DC \u2013 December 6, 2016:\u00a0Enterprise In Space (EIS), a non-profit program of the National Space Society (NSS), and the Kepler Space Institute have partnered with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Activism&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Activism","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"nss-eis-contest2","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NSS-EIS-Contest2-1024x306.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":24700,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=24700","url_meta":{"origin":1899,"position":4},"title":"Astroscale and Virgin Orbit partnering on satellite servicing initiatives","author":"TopSpacer","date":"November 17, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"This sort of announcement seems particularly\u00a0 following this week's news of a Russian anti-satellite demonstration creating thousands of new space debris objects in low earth orbit: Responsive satellite servicing and sustainable space launches get a boost through Astroscale, Virgin Orbit Partnership ASCEND Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, Nov. 17, 2021 \u2013\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;In Space Infrastructure&quot;","block_context":{"text":"In Space Infrastructure","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=15"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Astroscale-ELSA-d_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Astroscale-ELSA-d_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Astroscale-ELSA-d_1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Astroscale-ELSA-d_1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23068,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=23068","url_meta":{"origin":1899,"position":5},"title":"Space policy roundup &#8211; Nov.2.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"November 2, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of links to recent space policy, politics, and government (US and international) related space news and resource items that I found of interest (find previous space policy roundups here): Schedule: What\u2019s Happening in Space Policy November 1-7, 2020 \u2013 SpacePolicyOnline.com NASA programs: Every NASA Budget Request, from 1961\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Activism&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Activism","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/bigelow-xbase-_20160808-001-300x232.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1899"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1989,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899\/revisions\/1989"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1899"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1899"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}