Space debris and time visualization of growth in the number of years kosmoloma Bashny.Net

Stuart Gray, a lecturer at University College London, has created a video and interactive visualization, allowing to see growth in the number of space debris around the Earth over time. It all started with spent his time first artificial satellite - "Sputnik 1". Over time, the amount of debris only increased.

"Companion 1" was 58, 5 cm area that generated the signals. Almost immediately after its launch was launched "Sputnik 2" and «Explorer 1" - there is the United States have caused a stir. Since 1961, the time the first spacewalk manned spacecraft, the situation became unmanageable - debris multiply very quickly.

Despite the fact that its exhaust devices typically lowered into the earth's atmosphere, where they are burned (fully or partially) more satellites and spacecraft parts remain in orbit. However, most often moving with great speed.



20,000 items , parts of spacecraft that are now at a low orbit, not the only threat. There are more than 300 million particles of debris that are closer to the Earth, less than 2,000 km.

Scientists can track the trajectory of the thousands of particles. For example, in 2000, over 9000 tracked trajectory elements. But in 2007, China experienced a rocket, which has created 2,000 new fragments, as well as change the course of most of the old. Now everything it encounters in orbit, the formation of new parts, pieces and pieces. And it threatens the spacecraft: satellites, the ISS, and the astronauts. And over time, the situation is aggravated.

Ways to solve the problem yet, and soon is unlikely such methods appear.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/268854/