Prof. Sam LawlerMay 30, 2025

Oh hey cool, an op-ed I wrote is now published!

TLDR: we need *fewer* satellites, each with *longer* operational lifetimes. Engineers: that's your challenge.

https://www.livescience.com/space/astronomy/what-goes-up-must-come-down-how-megaconstellations-like-spacexs-starlink-network-pose-a-grave-safety-threat-to-us-on-earth-opinion

What goes up must come down: How megaconstellations like SpaceX's Starlink network pose a grave safety threat to us on Earth

Thousands of satellites with incredibly short lifetimes are being sent up into low Earth orbit. When they fall back down they're fireballs of pollution — and what doesn't burn up hits the ground.

Live Science
Show threadTimMay 31, 2025
@sundogplanets we need a spaceship with a weapons system to just blast 'em out of there.
Show threadMartin Vermeer (not Jesus)Jun 2, 2025
@heislertecreator2049 @sundogplanets That might easily multiply the problem by creating more small debris. You need to remove them in a *controlled* way. No easy shortcuts.
Show threadTimJun 2, 2025
@martinvermeer @sundogplanets I think you're right. Something like a Canadarm with a magnet to retrieve the object as salvage? idk
Show threadMartin Vermeer (not Jesus)Jun 2, 2025
@heislertecreator2049 @sundogplanets Something like that, only many satellites are not ferromagnetic. Capturing in aerogel might be an option.
Show threadTim
@martinvermeer yeah that occured to me to. A something would have to be going alongside @ near/the same speed in an exact or reasonably close track and then some net capture or claw on the end of the arm to grab it?
Jun 3, 2025 at 4:26amWeb
Show threadMartin Vermeer (not Jesus)Jun 3, 2025

@heislertecreator2049 For bigger objects, yes. For micro stuff, perhaps aerogel.

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/ideas-that-gel/

Ideas that Gel

The most obvious ideas are not always clear. Take aerogel for instance, a transparent, smoky blue substance that's been especially manufactured to bring home a piece of a comet, among other things.

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Show threadTimJun 3, 2025
@martinvermeer very neat!