Thread by @esaoperations

To date, more than 5800 launches have resulted in over 44,000 tracked objects in orbit, of which more than 20,000 remain in space and are regularly tracked by surveillance networks around the globe
#SpaceDebris🛰️

~26% of catalogued objects are satellites, and only a small fraction of those - about 2000 - are still operating today
~17% of tracked objects are used upper stages of rockets and mission-related objects like launch adapters and lens covers
A drifting thermal blanket,📸1998

More than half of the #spacedebris population was generated by 500+ in-space break-ups. The two major fragmentation events are clearly visible as jumps in the graph:
2007: Chinese anti-satellite missile test
2009: Collision between Iridium 33 and Kosmos-2251 satellites

A changing environment🌍🛰️
The latest editions of ESA's #spacedebris report have shown a remarkable increase in 'launch traffic' at 200km-1750km above Earth in 'Low-Earth Orbit' (LEO)

The number of 'payloads' – space objects designed to perform specific functions – has now reached four times the amount there was ten years ago, with a steep increase in particular in the last two years

This growth in numbers is driven by the launch of small satellites, with around half of the satellites launched in the last two years having a mass less than 10 kg
#smallsat
#cubesat

This increase in traffic is related to a shift towards more commercialisation in Low-Earth Orbit. Fortunately, it appears this commercialisation also brings space actors keen to ensure the continued exploitation of the region #spacedebris

Find out more, tomorrow, about:
– fragmentation events
– disposing of satellites at the end of their lives
– effectiveness of mitigation measures
– #collisionavoidance
– tracking and identification
– working towards an environmental impact assessment
#StayTuned
#SpaceDebris🛰️

Thread continues here:

https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1179381171886710785

#SpaceDebris