I bet many of you have a smartphone with you today how many applications on your
you today how many applications on your
you today how many applications on your phone do you think rely on satellite
phone do you think rely on satellite
phone do you think rely on satellite technology well I counted mine on my
technology well I counted mine on my
technology well I counted mine on my phone this morning it’s about 35 when
phone this morning it’s about 35 when
phone this morning it’s about 35 when you start thinking in those terms you
you start thinking in those terms you
you start thinking in those terms you start realizing that satellites are used
start realizing that satellites are used
start realizing that satellites are used for virtually everything you can imagine
for virtually everything you can imagine
for virtually everything you can imagine satellites bring us all sorts of
satellites bring us all sorts of
satellites bring us all sorts of services they bring us live sporting
services they bring us live sporting
services they bring us live sporting coverage global news coverage they tell
coverage global news coverage they tell
coverage global news coverage they tell our cars where to drive with GPS
our cars where to drive with GPS
our cars where to drive with GPS they drive critical services such as
they drive critical services such as
they drive critical services such as financial transactions earth observation
financial transactions earth observation
financial transactions earth observation even planetary exploration they gather
even planetary exploration they gather
even planetary exploration they gather important scientific data they can make
important scientific data they can make
important scientific data they can make our lives hum with progress and
our lives hum with progress and
our lives hum with progress and possibility however there is an irony to
possibility however there is an irony to
possibility however there is an irony to all of this connectivity and that’s that
all of this connectivity and that’s that
all of this connectivity and that’s that a lot of what we know about our
a lot of what we know about our
a lot of what we know about our environment on planet Earth whether this
environment on planet Earth whether this
environment on planet Earth whether this be disappearing rainforests melting ice
be disappearing rainforests melting ice
be disappearing rainforests melting ice caps plastic in our oceans actually
caps plastic in our oceans actually
caps plastic in our oceans actually comes from satellites and these
comes from satellites and these
comes from satellites and these satellites themselves have become
satellites themselves have become
satellites themselves have become polluters in space since the 1950s we’ve
polluters in space since the 1950s we’ve
polluters in space since the 1950s we’ve been launching them up there in a
been launching them up there in a
been launching them up there in a justifiable race for progress fervor 60
justifiable race for progress fervor 60
justifiable race for progress fervor 60 years later is finally catching up with
years later is finally catching up with
years later is finally catching up with us the first satellite Sputnik was
us the first satellite Sputnik was
us the first satellite Sputnik was launched in 1957 since then there have
launched in 1957 since then there have
launched in 1957 since then there have been 6,000 satellites launched into
been 6,000 satellites launched into
been 6,000 satellites launched into space that’s approximately 80 to 120
space that’s approximately 80 to 120
space that’s approximately 80 to 120 satellites every single year there are
satellites every single year there are
satellites every single year there are now almost 7,000 tons yes that’s right 7
now almost 7,000 tons yes that’s right 7
now almost 7,000 tons yes that’s right 7 million kilograms of space junk up there
million kilograms of space junk up there
million kilograms of space junk up there right now of the 40,000 objects tracked
right now of the 40,000 objects tracked
right now of the 40,000 objects tracked by the US Space Surveillance Network
by the US Space Surveillance Network
by the US Space Surveillance Network only 1,200 of them
only 1,200 of them
only 1,200 of them are actually operational the rest is
are actually operational the rest is
are actually operational the rest is just space debris personing by at speeds
just space debris personing by at speeds
just space debris personing by at speeds of 18,000 miles per hour there’s ten
of 18,000 miles per hour there’s ten
of 18,000 miles per hour there’s ten times faster than a bullet put this in
times faster than a bullet put this in
times faster than a bullet put this in Hollywood terms in Houston we’ve got a
Hollywood terms in Houston we’ve got a
Hollywood terms in Houston we’ve got a problem
problem
problem space junk has the potential to cause
space junk has the potential to cause
space junk has the potential to cause real catastrophic damage if satellites
real catastrophic damage if satellites
real catastrophic damage if satellites collide in space they could potentially
collide in space they could potentially
collide in space they could potentially prevent access to all those services I
prevent access to all those services I
prevent access to all those services I just talked about I’m guessing some of
just talked about I’m guessing some of
just talked about I’m guessing some of you might have seen the film gravity
you might have seen the film gravity
you might have seen the film gravity well in the film gravity right at the
well in the film gravity right at the
well in the film gravity right at the beginning a whole bunch of space junk
beginning a whole bunch of space junk
beginning a whole bunch of space junk comes along and destroys their space
comes along and destroys their space
comes along and destroys their space shuttle effectively how realistic is
shuttle effectively how realistic is
shuttle effectively how realistic is this well you might be surprised this as
this well you might be surprised this as
this well you might be surprised this as many of you might know is the
many of you might know is the
many of you might know is the International Space Station it cost a
International Space Station it cost a
International Space Station it cost a hundred and sixty billion dollars to
hundred and sixty billion dollars to
hundred and sixty billion dollars to build it is the single most expensive
build it is the single most expensive
build it is the single most expensive item humankind have ever produced on a
item humankind have ever produced on a
item humankind have ever produced on a frequent basis the ISS received kamat
frequent basis the ISS received kamat
frequent basis the ISS received kamat receives commands from the ground to
receives commands from the ground to
receives commands from the ground to actually move out of the way of space
actually move out of the way of space
actually move out of the way of space junk however the certain situations it
junk however the certain situations it
junk however the certain situations it can’t move out of the way quickly enough
can’t move out of the way quickly enough
can’t move out of the way quickly enough and these are classed as space debris
and these are classed as space debris
and these are classed as space debris emergencies in such a situation the
emergencies in such a situation the
emergencies in such a situation the astronauts had to evacuate to their
astronauts had to evacuate to their
astronauts had to evacuate to their Soyuz capsule and prepare to get off the
Soyuz capsule and prepare to get off the
Soyuz capsule and prepare to get off the ISS now this critical event has already
ISS now this critical event has already
ISS now this critical event has already happened three times in the life of the
happened three times in the life of the
happened three times in the life of the ISS this here is a photo tweeted by Tim
ISS this here is a photo tweeted by Tim
ISS this here is a photo tweeted by Tim Peake Oprah shush-shush thought in it
Peake Oprah shush-shush thought in it
Peake Oprah shush-shush thought in it the caption that comes with it is this
the caption that comes with it is this
the caption that comes with it is this is a chip in one of our cupola windows
is a chip in one of our cupola windows
is a chip in one of our cupola windows GLaDOS quadruple glazed just shows how
GLaDOS quadruple glazed just shows how
GLaDOS quadruple glazed just shows how risky all this flying debris is to the
risky all this flying debris is to the
risky all this flying debris is to the International Space Station either has
International Space Station either has
International Space Station either has to be resilient enough to withstand an
to be resilient enough to withstand an
to be resilient enough to withstand an impact or it has to be Swift enough to
impact or it has to be Swift enough to
impact or it has to be Swift enough to actually get out of the way of this
actually get out of the way of this
actually get out of the way of this space junk
space junk
space junk according to issa calculations doesn’t
according to issa calculations doesn’t
according to issa calculations doesn’t take a whole lot to produce a real
take a whole lot to produce a real
take a whole lot to produce a real problem
problem
problem space an object just one centimeter in
space an object just one centimeter in
space an object just one centimeter in size that’s the width of your index
size that’s the width of your index
size that’s the width of your index finger could disable a critical
finger could disable a critical
finger could disable a critical satellite subsystem an object’s slightly
satellite subsystem an object’s slightly
satellite subsystem an object’s slightly larger than 1 centimeter could penetrate
larger than 1 centimeter could penetrate
larger than 1 centimeter could penetrate the shields of the ISS and something
the shields of the ISS and something
the shields of the ISS and something about 10 centimeters 10 centimeters in
about 10 centimeters 10 centimeters in
about 10 centimeters 10 centimeters in size could shatter a spacecraft into
size could shatter a spacecraft into
size could shatter a spacecraft into pieces imagine being up there on the ISS
pieces imagine being up there on the ISS
pieces imagine being up there on the ISS hundreds of kilometers above Earth and
hundreds of kilometers above Earth and
hundreds of kilometers above Earth and navigating a field of unruly projectiles
navigating a field of unruly projectiles
navigating a field of unruly projectiles it’s like being on the m25 but with no
it’s like being on the m25 but with no
it’s like being on the m25 but with no road markings no signs no directions and
road markings no signs no directions and
road markings no signs no directions and cars going in every direction you can
cars going in every direction you can
cars going in every direction you can imagine complete chaos so to put it
imagine complete chaos so to put it
imagine complete chaos so to put it shortly if we don’t start clearing up
shortly if we don’t start clearing up
shortly if we don’t start clearing up this orbital mess we inviting
this orbital mess we inviting
this orbital mess we inviting catastrophe we’re putting all sorts of
catastrophe we’re putting all sorts of
catastrophe we’re putting all sorts of human progress in jeopardy what to tell
human progress in jeopardy what to tell
human progress in jeopardy what to tell you a bit more about space junk but to
you a bit more about space junk but to
you a bit more about space junk but to do that we need to know a bit more about
do that we need to know a bit more about
do that we need to know a bit more about how space works space as I’m sure you’ve
how space works space as I’m sure you’ve
how space works space as I’m sure you’ve heard it’s absolutely massive but we
heard it’s absolutely massive but we
heard it’s absolutely massive but we can’t just put satellites anywhere
can’t just put satellites anywhere
can’t just put satellites anywhere satellites have to go in very specific
satellites have to go in very specific
satellites have to go in very specific orbits based on the functionality you
orbits based on the functionality you
orbits based on the functionality you have earth observation satellites
have earth observation satellites
have earth observation satellites navigation ones there’s a region up to
navigation ones there’s a region up to
navigation ones there’s a region up to 2,000 kilometers above Earth and that’s
2,000 kilometers above Earth and that’s
2,000 kilometers above Earth and that’s known as Leo or low-earth orbit now in
known as Leo or low-earth orbit now in
known as Leo or low-earth orbit now in this region everything suffers from drag
this region everything suffers from drag
this region everything suffers from drag and so bit by bit all of your satellites
and so bit by bit all of your satellites
and so bit by bit all of your satellites will come back down to earth where
will come back down to earth where
will come back down to earth where they’ll eventually burn up in the
they’ll eventually burn up in the
they’ll eventually burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere but those items which
Earth’s atmosphere but those items which
Earth’s atmosphere but those items which are much lower set 200 kilometres suffer
are much lower set 200 kilometres suffer
are much lower set 200 kilometres suffer much more drag and therefore will come
much more drag and therefore will come
much more drag and therefore will come down within weeks or even days but those
down within weeks or even days but those
down within weeks or even days but those that is 1,000 kilometres much higher up
that is 1,000 kilometres much higher up
that is 1,000 kilometres much higher up it can be hundreds to thousands of years
it can be hundreds to thousands of years
it can be hundreds to thousands of years before such an object comes now now you
before such an object comes now now you
before such an object comes now now you can imagine
can imagine
can imagine if such an object failed in space as
if such an object failed in space as
if such an object failed in space as such for high-altitude it would just
such for high-altitude it would just
such for high-altitude it would just remain floating about a space junk
remain floating about a space junk
remain floating about a space junk however space junk isn’t just all of
however space junk isn’t just all of
however space junk isn’t just all of these defunct and broken satellites up
these defunct and broken satellites up
these defunct and broken satellites up there consists of all sorts of things
there consists of all sorts of things
there consists of all sorts of things every time you launch something the
every time you launch something the
every time you launch something the launch shrinks that break off these go
launch shrinks that break off these go
launch shrinks that break off these go into space space is full of millions of
into space space is full of millions of
into space space is full of millions of fragments of metal glass plastic all
fragments of metal glass plastic all
fragments of metal glass plastic all over the place you can imagine all of
over the place you can imagine all of
over the place you can imagine all of these projectiles
these projectiles
these projectiles everywhere you look one of the worst
everywhere you look one of the worst
everywhere you look one of the worst accidents that happen in space
accidents that happen in space
accidents that happen in space was in 2009 the u.s. iridium 33
was in 2009 the u.s. iridium 33
was in 2009 the u.s. iridium 33 satellite which is the one that provides
satellite which is the one that provides
satellite which is the one that provides satellite phone services that collided
satellite phone services that collided
satellite phone services that collided with a Russian defunct cosmos to 2:51
with a Russian defunct cosmos to 2:51
with a Russian defunct cosmos to 2:51 satellite and they basically hit each
satellite and they basically hit each
satellite and they basically hit each other at 12 kilometers a second
other at 12 kilometers a second
other at 12 kilometers a second completely obliterating them into just
completely obliterating them into just
completely obliterating them into just fragments
fragments
fragments in fact satellites that are get old also
in fact satellites that are get old also
in fact satellites that are get old also have residual fuels on them and
have residual fuels on them and
have residual fuels on them and sometimes these fuels mix so satellites
sometimes these fuels mix so satellites
sometimes these fuels mix so satellites are remarkably good at exploding by
are remarkably good at exploding by
are remarkably good at exploding by themselves however let’s get on to what
themselves however let’s get on to what
themselves however let’s get on to what could really go wrong this is known as
could really go wrong this is known as
could really go wrong this is known as the Kessler syndrome now Don Kessler was
the Kessler syndrome now Don Kessler was
the Kessler syndrome now Don Kessler was an astrophysicist and scientist at NASA
an astrophysicist and scientist at NASA
an astrophysicist and scientist at NASA and he theorized in the 70s that a space
and he theorized in the 70s that a space
and he theorized in the 70s that a space junk collide it produces more space junk
junk collide it produces more space junk
junk collide it produces more space junk and that produces even more space junk
and that produces even more space junk
and that produces even more space junk so you end up with this cascading effect
so you end up with this cascading effect
so you end up with this cascading effect that has the ability to wipe out entire
that has the ability to wipe out entire
that has the ability to wipe out entire orbits of satellites he first published
orbits of satellites he first published
orbits of satellites he first published this in the landmark paper in 1978 which
this in the landmark paper in 1978 which
this in the landmark paper in 1978 which actually led to the formation of NASA’s
actually led to the formation of NASA’s
actually led to the formation of NASA’s space debris program office for the
space debris program office for the
space debris program office for the first time imagine being in the
first time imagine being in the
first time imagine being in the Caribbean if we had lost at
Caribbean if we had lost at
Caribbean if we had lost at to all of these satellite services it’s
to all of these satellite services it’s
to all of these satellite services it’s hurricane season and you’re tracking a
hurricane season and you’re tracking a
hurricane season and you’re tracking a hurricane suddenly all the information
hurricane suddenly all the information
hurricane suddenly all the information you have
you have
you have how strong is it where is it going to
how strong is it where is it going to
how strong is it where is it going to hit where is it going to pass over all
hit where is it going to pass over all
hit where is it going to pass over all of this information suddenly disappears
of this information suddenly disappears
of this information suddenly disappears is this just a fantasy no this is a real
is this just a fantasy no this is a real
is this just a fantasy no this is a real potential scenario however we can start
potential scenario however we can start
potential scenario however we can start to fix this there are really two
to fix this there are really two
to fix this there are really two solutions either we ensure things we
solutions either we ensure things we
solutions either we ensure things we launch into space have the ability to
launch into space have the ability to
launch into space have the ability to come back down themselves and or we
come back down themselves and or we
come back down themselves and or we launch missions up there to actually
launch missions up there to actually
launch missions up there to actually capture some of this space drunk and
capture some of this space drunk and
capture some of this space drunk and bring it back down to earth where it’ll
bring it back down to earth where it’ll
bring it back down to earth where it’ll burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere so a
burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere so a
burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere so a lot of satellites in space they take
lot of satellites in space they take
lot of satellites in space they take care of their own demise
care of their own demise
care of their own demise and they do that by actually thrust in
and they do that by actually thrust in
and they do that by actually thrust in themselves lower and lower until they
themselves lower and lower until they
themselves lower and lower until they burn up but of course if they don’t have
burn up but of course if they don’t have
burn up but of course if they don’t have a proportion system or if they are
a proportion system or if they are
a proportion system or if they are broken this this isn’t a real option
broken this this isn’t a real option
broken this this isn’t a real option which gives the litter Pickers of space
which gives the litter Pickers of space
which gives the litter Pickers of space even more urgency this here is a drag
even more urgency this here is a drag
even more urgency this here is a drag cell our drag cells about three by three
cell our drag cells about three by three
cell our drag cells about three by three meters and it’s made of mylar or Kapton
meters and it’s made of mylar or Kapton
meters and it’s made of mylar or Kapton which are just materials only
which are just materials only
which are just materials only micrometers thick now how does this work
micrometers thick now how does this work
micrometers thick now how does this work well you can imagine on earth you know a
well you can imagine on earth you know a
well you can imagine on earth you know a plane that comes in to land it puts up
plane that comes in to land it puts up
plane that comes in to land it puts up its flaps and it does this to produce
its flaps and it does this to produce
its flaps and it does this to produce more drag now the same concept applies
more drag now the same concept applies
more drag now the same concept applies this sail in space little particles hit
this sail in space little particles hit
this sail in space little particles hit it and that slows your satellite down so
it and that slows your satellite down so
it and that slows your satellite down so I mentioned there’s a second solution
I mentioned there’s a second solution
I mentioned there’s a second solution and that’s active debris removal that’s
and that’s active debris removal that’s
and that’s active debris removal that’s the concept of sending things up there
the concept of sending things up there
the concept of sending things up there to rendezvous with capture and then pull
to rendezvous with capture and then pull
to rendezvous with capture and then pull back down to earth the actual space junk
back down to earth the actual space junk
back down to earth the actual space junk so since the 1970s possibly even earlier
so since the 1970s possibly even earlier
so since the 1970s possibly even earlier this prom has been known about but it’s
this prom has been known about but it’s
this prom has been known about but it’s only been in the last five or so years
only been in the last five or so years
only been in the last five or so years the real missions have been conceived to
the real missions have been conceived to
the real missions have been conceived to actually deal with this problem this
actually deal with this problem this
actually deal with this problem this year
year
year is the remove debris mission it’s a
is the remove debris mission it’s a
is the remove debris mission it’s a consortium of ten partners run by the
consortium of ten partners run by the
consortium of ten partners run by the Surrey Space Center University of Surrey
Surrey Space Center University of Surrey
Surrey Space Center University of Surrey and basically it has a net a harpoon and
and basically it has a net a harpoon and
and basically it has a net a harpoon and a drag sail I mentioned on board and the
a drag sail I mentioned on board and the
a drag sail I mentioned on board and the concept is expect small little
concept is expect small little
concept is expect small little satellites that will be used as
satellites that will be used as
satellites that will be used as artificial space junk this here is the
artificial space junk this here is the
artificial space junk this here is the net the nets designed to capture one
net the nets designed to capture one
net the nets designed to capture one target and it’s been tested in all sorts
target and it’s been tested in all sorts
target and it’s been tested in all sorts of things such as a drop tower and also
of things such as a drop tower and also
of things such as a drop tower and also a parabolic flight now the parabolic
a parabolic flight now the parabolic
a parabolic flight now the parabolic flight is something the fly is really
flight is something the fly is really
flight is something the fly is really high then it dropped suddenly it
high then it dropped suddenly it
high then it dropped suddenly it simulates zero-g and this is what
simulates zero-g and this is what
simulates zero-g and this is what astronauts use to actually train so this
astronauts use to actually train so this
astronauts use to actually train so this Nets also been tested in such an
Nets also been tested in such an
Nets also been tested in such an environment now of course we have
environment now of course we have
environment now of course we have harpoons we have nets these will seem
harpoons we have nets these will seem
harpoons we have nets these will seem like some well simple concepts and they
like some well simple concepts and they
like some well simple concepts and they are they’ve been used for thousands of
are they’ve been used for thousands of
are they’ve been used for thousands of years underwater to you know capture
years underwater to you know capture
years underwater to you know capture things such as sea creatures however
things such as sea creatures however
things such as sea creatures however taking technologies that are mature on
taking technologies that are mature on
taking technologies that are mature on earth in the oceans and actually
earth in the oceans and actually
earth in the oceans and actually bringing them up there into space and
bringing them up there into space and
bringing them up there into space and seeing well these concepts work for the
seeing well these concepts work for the
seeing well these concepts work for the first time nobody has ever used the net
first time nobody has ever used the net
first time nobody has ever used the net or a harpoon for these purposes in space
or a harpoon for these purposes in space
or a harpoon for these purposes in space before this here is a European Space
before this here is a European Space
before this here is a European Space Agency mission that’s a picture of a
Agency mission that’s a picture of a
Agency mission that’s a picture of a satellite called env Sat now env set was
satellite called env Sat now env set was
satellite called env Sat now env set was launched many years ago but in 2012
launched many years ago but in 2012
launched many years ago but in 2012 became defunct it basically died and
became defunct it basically died and
became defunct it basically died and it’s this satellite is 8,000 kilograms
it’s this satellite is 8,000 kilograms
it’s this satellite is 8,000 kilograms or 8 tonnes it’s also 26 by 10 meters
or 8 tonnes it’s also 26 by 10 meters
or 8 tonnes it’s also 26 by 10 meters you can see the size of the person there
you can see the size of the person there
you can see the size of the person there and that’s not even the full spacecraft
and that’s not even the full spacecraft
and that’s not even the full spacecraft that’s without the big solar panel that
that’s without the big solar panel that
that’s without the big solar panel that gets deployed this is the largest piece
gets deployed this is the largest piece
gets deployed this is the largest piece of space junk up there in space you can
of space junk up there in space you can
of space junk up there in space you can imagine how phenomenal the size of it is
imagine how phenomenal the size of it is
imagine how phenomenal the size of it is European Space Agency’s going to launch
European Space Agency’s going to launch
European Space Agency’s going to launch a mission hopefully in 2024
a mission hopefully in 2024
a mission hopefully in 2024 to actually start to deal with this
to actually start to deal with this
to actually start to deal with this problem and consider could this piece of
problem and consider could this piece of
problem and consider could this piece of space junk actually be cleaned up so we
space junk actually be cleaned up so we
space junk actually be cleaned up so we know now there’s a lot of space junk up
know now there’s a lot of space junk up
know now there’s a lot of space junk up there we know that it has the potential
there we know that it has the potential
there we know that it has the potential to cause catastrophic damage and in fact
to cause catastrophic damage and in fact
to cause catastrophic damage and in fact there have been collisions as I
there have been collisions as I
there have been collisions as I mentioned and we know that there are
mentioned and we know that there are
mentioned and we know that there are some solutions in the pipeline but one
some solutions in the pipeline but one
some solutions in the pipeline but one of the core questions is who is
of the core questions is who is
of the core questions is who is responsible for all of this who’s
responsible for all of this who’s
responsible for all of this who’s responsible for keeping space tidy
responsible for keeping space tidy
responsible for keeping space tidy well there’s space law is complicated
well there’s space law is complicated
well there’s space law is complicated every single item in space whether it be
every single item in space whether it be
every single item in space whether it be a full satellite or a piece of glass
a full satellite or a piece of glass
a full satellite or a piece of glass it’s actually owned by somebody you
it’s actually owned by somebody you
it’s actually owned by somebody you can’t take away their property without
can’t take away their property without
can’t take away their property without their permission besides if a tiny
their permission besides if a tiny
their permission besides if a tiny little fragment hit your satellite you
little fragment hit your satellite you
little fragment hit your satellite you wouldn’t even know who did it
wouldn’t even know who did it
wouldn’t even know who did it these fragments are so small we can’t
these fragments are so small we can’t
these fragments are so small we can’t even track them from the ground there
even track them from the ground there
even track them from the ground there are some new space laws one such law
are some new space laws one such law
are some new space laws one such law says that new satellites that were
says that new satellites that were
says that new satellites that were launched should actually come back down
launched should actually come back down
launched should actually come back down to earth within 25 years which is a very
to earth within 25 years which is a very
to earth within 25 years which is a very good step unfortunately doesn’t deal
good step unfortunately doesn’t deal
good step unfortunately doesn’t deal with all the space junk up there and all
with all the space junk up there and all
with all the space junk up there and all all countries have actually ratified
all countries have actually ratified
all countries have actually ratified this individual law it’d be common sense
this individual law it’d be common sense
this individual law it’d be common sense to say that either governments or
to say that either governments or
to say that either governments or companies that were responsible for
companies that were responsible for
companies that were responsible for actually putting all this junk up there
actually putting all this junk up there
actually putting all this junk up there to begin with
to begin with
to begin with should be the ones that tidy it up it’s
should be the ones that tidy it up it’s
should be the ones that tidy it up it’s really not that simple though most of
really not that simple though most of
really not that simple though most of these satellites were deposited there
these satellites were deposited there
these satellites were deposited there between the 60s and the 80s in the space
between the 60s and the 80s in the space
between the 60s and the 80s in the space race in fact governments now as I’m sure
race in fact governments now as I’m sure
race in fact governments now as I’m sure you’re aware have to balance budgets and
you’re aware have to balance budgets and
you’re aware have to balance budgets and there’s so many different things that
there’s so many different things that
there’s so many different things that money needs to be spent on this is just
money needs to be spent on this is just
money needs to be spent on this is just one of the items the needs consideration
one of the items the needs consideration
one of the items the needs consideration one thing that’s really going to push
one thing that’s really going to push
one thing that’s really going to push this area into the spotlight is the rise
this area into the spotlight is the rise
this area into the spotlight is the rise of something known as mega
of something known as mega
of something known as mega constellations mega constellations
constellations mega constellations
constellations mega constellations our satellites that launched into space
our satellites that launched into space
our satellites that launched into space in groups ranging from between hundreds
in groups ranging from between hundreds
in groups ranging from between hundreds to thousands of satellites and it’s
to thousands of satellites and it’s
to thousands of satellites and it’s proposed in the next few years this type
proposed in the next few years this type
proposed in the next few years this type of these type of launches could actually
of these type of launches could actually
of these type of launches could actually start happening now given it there’s
start happening now given it there’s
start happening now given it there’s only six thousand satellites in space
only six thousand satellites in space
only six thousand satellites in space right now that are fully operational you
right now that are fully operational you
right now that are fully operational you consider now how many satellite launches
consider now how many satellite launches
consider now how many satellite launches that are going to be for these mega
that are going to be for these mega
that are going to be for these mega constellations even if a small
constellations even if a small
constellations even if a small percentage of these fail the question is
percentage of these fail the question is
percentage of these fail the question is who’s going to finance their removal who
who’s going to finance their removal who
who’s going to finance their removal who is responsible for cleaning these things
is responsible for cleaning these things
is responsible for cleaning these things up I guess it is good that a loss of
up I guess it is good that a loss of
up I guess it is good that a loss of these serious questions are now been
these serious questions are now been
these serious questions are now been considered in the right circles we can
considered in the right circles we can
considered in the right circles we can no longer just keep thinking of our
no longer just keep thinking of our
no longer just keep thinking of our environment it’s just the planet Earth
environment it’s just the planet Earth
environment it’s just the planet Earth in 60 short but productive years we’ve
in 60 short but productive years we’ve
in 60 short but productive years we’ve filled all of our neighboring space with
filled all of our neighboring space with
filled all of our neighboring space with junk there’s no different than just
junk there’s no different than just
junk there’s no different than just dumping industrial waste in the ocean
dumping industrial waste in the ocean
dumping industrial waste in the ocean the space junk is a global issue in each
the space junk is a global issue in each
the space junk is a global issue in each treating in a similar way to that of
treating in a similar way to that of
treating in a similar way to that of climate change
climate change
climate change it requires governments industry
it requires governments industry
it requires governments industry academia cross collaborations between
academia cross collaborations between
academia cross collaborations between everyone to actually start to solve this
everyone to actually start to solve this
everyone to actually start to solve this problem space junk is a real issue and
problem space junk is a real issue and
problem space junk is a real issue and if we don’t start solving this the
if we don’t start solving this the
if we don’t start solving this the potential for disaster could be immense
potential for disaster could be immense
potential for disaster could be immense can you imagine if services got cut off
can you imagine if services got cut off
can you imagine if services got cut off to the billions of people that currently
to the billions of people that currently
to the billions of people that currently use all of these different range of
use all of these different range of
use all of these different range of things that satellites provide in the
things that satellites provide in the
things that satellites provide in the worst possible case it could be too
worst possible case it could be too
worst possible case it could be too dangerous to leave sit leave the Earth’s
dangerous to leave sit leave the Earth’s
dangerous to leave sit leave the Earth’s atmosphere putting on hold things such
atmosphere putting on hold things such
atmosphere putting on hold things such as space exploration or even aspirations
as space exploration or even aspirations
as space exploration or even aspirations of becoming a more
of becoming a more
of becoming a more the planet species the potential for
the planet species the potential for
the planet species the potential for disruption is almost unimaginable thank
disruption is almost unimaginable thank
disruption is almost unimaginable thank you
you
you [Applause]
”
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