Space Debris Threatening Satellites... Can Private Companies Clean It Up?

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Plans to clean up space debris threatening satellites around the Earth are gaining momentum with the participation of private companies.

The European Space Agency (ESA) recently announced that it has received budget approval from the ministerial-level meeting body 'Space19+' and is proceeding with the official contract worth 86 million euros (113.7 billion KRW) with a consortium led by the private company ClearSpace to retrieve objects flying in low Earth orbit.

This is the first attempt to clean up space debris in Earth's orbit.

The target is the 'Vespa' satellite adapter left in Earth's orbit after the second launch of the Vega rocket in 2013, which deployed a satellite. It weighs approximately 112 kg. ClearSpace plans to launch a satellite equipped with four robotic arms into low Earth orbit at an altitude of 500 km, then approach by raising its altitude, capture Vespa, and re-enter the atmosphere. During this process, both the satellite and Vespa will oxidize due to atmospheric friction heat.

In Earth's orbit, nearly 5,550 space launches have taken place over the past 60 years, resulting in over 42,000 pieces of debris orbiting, of which about 23,000 are being tracked. Including small fragments less than 10 cm, the amount of space debris in Earth's orbit is estimated to reach 900,000 pieces.