Koppernigk

20,000 pieces of space debri

SPACE.com has an article on the need to be more proactive in combating space debri. And it shouldn't just a responsibility for the US, but for all countries. After all we're heavily dependent on all kinds of technology space related, from GSM to phones, weather, Internet, you name it.

"The amount of junk floating in space is getting out of hand and the United States must step up its effort to control orbital trash, experts are saying.

The chief of U.S. Strategic Command said Wednesday that America needs better tools to monitor the orbital debris that's up there and plan to avoid collisions with valuable satellites.

"We are decades behind where we should be, in my view," said Air Force Gen. Kevin P. Chilton in a speech at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Chilton called for more personnel and more sensors and equipment to study and combat the threat.

There are about 800 satellites in orbit now, and more than 20,000 pieces of debris in total, including bits of dead satellites and spent rockets, as well as more eccentric items like loose gloves and tools that slipped away from astronauts on spacewalks. And it's only likely to get worse as more satellites are launched into the increasingly crowded orbital corridors of space.

"Space situational awareness is no different than the situational awareness that we demand in any other domain," Chilton said. "And we do not provide that in an adequate fashion to my component commander in charge of space operations for the United States of America." "(SPACE.com)