So apparently the #KesslerSyndrome has already started. The amount of avoidance maneuvers grew 3x over the last 6 months, and the amount of junk in the orbit went up by <s>40%<\s>63% <a href=https://spectrum.ieee.org/kessler-syndrome-space-debris> [1]<\a> over the last 5 years.

What now? It's hard to internalize that it's already here. It will be a quick ride from now. It goes exponential. Hug your GPS, satelite tv, the weather reports, the space photos. It's the end of the space age. We will be telling our grand children how cool it was.

And maybe, if they are lucky, the moon will herd the debris into an orbital ring. It will be magnificent.

What should we be doing to prepare for this? What are your thoughts?

#space #nasa #satelite #sst #collisionavoidance #esa #scifi

Kessler Syndrome Space Debris Threatens Satellites

The Kessler syndrome is turning space into a hazardous zone. Learn about the innovative tech and international efforts to manage this growing problem.

IEEE Spectrum

@licho
I'll be using maps and compas on my phone ^_^J

But more seriously I worry about the capitalists “solutions”.

One could be using planes which would add a constant source of pollution and wearing thinner the flight personnel.

Other could be baloons, which would require electricity to make a Hindenburg-to-be or further deplete our helium resources.

Maybe, ***maybe***, if we could get electric semi-glider drones just right, we could plug some of the holes with minimal casualties.

@dzwiedziu I think hydrogen is a viable option in the modern day, with the modern materials. Its like with the early fridges - they were super dangerous. What changed? The core tech haven't. They would have still be super dangerous but we can make them tight now. Imo we should be starting to normalize hydrogen airships. Unmanned at first and when people get easier around them, the tech is verified, we should really go all in.

@licho
I'm not worried about tech, but of the implementation with an ulterior profit motive.

It's what is getting us into the Kessler mess in the first place.