Astronomen haben einen versteckten Schwarm Weltraumschrott gefunden, der die wertvollste Umlaufbahn der Erde bedroht | „Die Trümmer im geosynchronen Orbit sind ein potenzielles Minenfeld.“
https://gizmodo.com/astronomers-found-a-hidden-swarm-of-space-junk-threatening-earths-most-valuable-orbit-2000785323
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>Earth’s geosynchronous orbit (GEO) holds some of the most valuable satellites that carry out tasks for phones, television, and radio, as well as weather and environmental monitoring. As new research points out, these precious devices may be under threat from tiny pieces of space junk that have gone previously undetected until now.
>A team of astronomers from the University of Warwick found faint fragments of space debris in geosynchronous orbit, which are at risk of colliding with satellites flying over Earth’s equator. The tiny fragments, measuring at only 2 inches (5 centimeters) big, have never been observed before.
>**A closer look**
>Satellites in geosynchronous orbit fly in sync with Earth’s rotation on its axis. The satellites are at a high altitude of approximately 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth’s equator, which allows them to keep pace with our planet.
>Geosynchronous orbit is generally reserved for communication, weather monitoring, and navigation satellites. Due to their high altitude, GEO space junk is particularly hard to detect, and much of it has remained largely invisible.
>In a new [study](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40430-026-06480-w) published in the Journal of Astronautical Sciences, astronomers reexamined an archival dataset from a previous survey of debris in geosynchronous orbit using the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) in La Palma, Canary Islands. By processing the images using newly developed algorithms, the team behind the study found 25 previously missed debris tracks.
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Isn’t GEO so incredibly big compared to LEO that the chances are litteraly astronomical?
I’m sure it’s been discussed before, but would it be feasible for, say, a rogue nation, to launch an area denial attack at a level of orbit by launching clouds of shrapnel? Is it just statistically unrealistic given the cost?
How long until SpaceX rockets start getting taken out by Starlink space mines.
Or, I reckon this scenario will play out eventually. One satellite or rocket company whose multi-million dollar project is taken out by another companies space junk, or satellites, etc will then sue, resulting in the need for „Space Law.“
Can’t wait to see what a bunch of greedy politicians do with that.
I’m sure we will have some drones soon that can tug it into a huge space hulk.
Hire me to be a space janitor already
Space junk? What does it smell like?
Perhaps we’re on the verge of needing a Space Roomba. I wonder what would be involved in such a project.
GEO has been in use for many, many years. Would we not have heard in that time if the sats up there were getting hit with any regularity?
Not saying it is not a concern, but what exactly has raised the alarm with this report? The fact that we had not been able to detect such small pieces previously?
„I told you so.“ *–Donald J. Kessler*