Thomas Kern
ESS102
Research Paper
Space Debris in Low Earth Orbit
An unfortunate consequence of man exploring off planet has been the steady growth of junk from derelict and unused spacecraft. According to NASA there are over half a million pieces of junk in low earth orbit. Because these pieces of junk travel at orbital speeds of around 17,500 miles per hour, they posses tremendous amounts of energy and are capable of doing substantial damage (NASA). Most of the dangerous hard to track debris comes from collisions (NASA). When old satellites are allowed to orbit on a collision free path they are relatively easy to track, and avoid. However, problems arise once these satellites are involved in collisions. Collisions can break apart
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A variety of techniques are being developed to try and put this principle into use, for constructing all sorts of things in low earth orbit. A proposed method of recycling satellites is to tow old satellites out to mars where the materials could be used by future colonies. Tom Markusic CEO of startup firefly systems, has a plan to do just that (Howell). Firefly systems plans to use solar powered craft to slowly and efficiently move things from earths orbit to mars. Once there they could be broken down by colonists in orbit for their nuts bolts and various other components (Howell). This could actually create a much needed market for supplies if space travel becomes commercialized. If part is needed part way through a mission and it can be found on a derelict satellite, Tom Markusic’s company could be the missing link that could retrieve a bolt or solar panel and bring it to whoever needs it eliminating the need for an expensive launch from the earths surface.
Another potential way of recycling space craft is increasing their longevity. Often times only a single component fails taking down all of a satellite’s systems. If they are designed modularly then satellites would only require a simple part replacement to be working again. DARPA is currently researching a craft that would dock with satellites, assess damage, and potential make repairs (Howell). Having
“If Ricky had not forgiven the men who had enslaved him, Ricky would still be their slave.” (Hutton 322) This quote is from a novel called Soldier Boy which is based on a real story about a boy named Ricky Richard Anywar who was taken as a child soldier for the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda 1989. Ricky’s actions in the novel Soldier Boy are influenced by his courage, determination, and restraint. First, Ricky’s courage helped him along his journey by giving him the strength to whatever he set his mind to, even if it could cause him his life..
In recycling, raw materials that have already been obtained are used, which reduces the need for more materials to be extracted. If we recycle enough to slow the rate of extraction bringing it lower or equal to the rate that our resources replenish themselves we are living sustainable. This project is especially important because it focuses on recycling objects that take a lot of resources to make and that can't be organically broken
Along with the technological advances and new theories of the last century, humans have developed a need to explore beyond the known of the final frontier. This resource of knowledge has led to superstitions and concerns about what could happen if people pursue this want of space exploration. Among these concerns are national finances, the world’s health, and ethical standpoints of what really could be waiting on the other side for those who dare venture into the unknown.
Although space junk may seem trivial,it is in fact crucial in terms of today's concern over everyday life. Apparently Nasa has just been throwing it out the window into our atmosphere, which is causing a gigantic problem. Some experts say there are just some things like satellites they cannot take back to earth. They say that they would only do it in in rare cases. If they take the things up there how come they can't take back it down to earth. They are trying to find a way to bring the trash back.
As these orbital objects continue to add up, space is growing all the more crowded, and presently, space enthusiasts are becoming increasingly concerned with the junk left by defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and even small bits of trash leftover from old explosions. In recent years, attention-seeking news media developed a controversy about the topic of space junk, creating a misinformed and panicked populous which distrusts the information provided by space enthusiasts and legitimate space agencies. However, when provided the right information, both sides can agree that space junk is an issue that needs to be handled, but not one that will cause a major
Space exploration is an ongoing discovery and exploration of celestial structures in outer space. There is an ongoing debate wheter or america should invest in space exploration, but many may argue its just a waste of time and money. Good oppotunites and benefits are highly possible to happen due to space exploration. There are many interesting and benificial things such as finding another presence, facts about how mars became i dried freezing dessert, and solving the fianl mysteries.
Some researchers from China’s Tsinghua University have came up with an idea that might help with this problem. They want to build a craft to go into space and collect the junk and turn it into fuel. I think this is an excellent way to take care of the problem. The article The Quest To Find a Solution To Clean Space Junk Continues says that they call the rocket the “debis engine”, and it catches anything 10cm in diameter, with the help of nets. The rocket would have
Pollution is now out of this world because according to “Cleaning up the Space Junk” “the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA has estimated that about 22,000 pieces of this pollution are as large as a softball and about 500,000 of them are closer to the size of a marble and there are possibly hundreds of millions of smaller pieces are also floating around the planet”.Based on the video “Space Junk” “the fail of Cosmos 54 led to fear of radioactive contamination from its nuclear power packs and that then confirmed that space junk can and will fall to Earth.And smaller pieces travel at an incredibly fast speed 17,000 to 21,000 mph so the damage that little tiny piece can do is potentially enormous.All
Orbital mechanics is the application of ballistic and celestial mechanics to motion, especially pertaining to rockets and spacecraft. Many famous physicists and mathematicians have helped develop equations, formulas, and laws to understand different aspects of orbital mechanics; such as Newton with centripetal force and the gravitational constant (GM) and also Kepler and his three laws of planetary motion. Though my interest did not sprout from who was involved with orbital mechanics, but the orbital mechanics themselves. I’ve always had an interest in astronomy and physics, and this seems like the perfect combinations of both.
There is an ethical issue vs. a legal issue vs. a cost issue that is very much open to debate. Several decades of space exploration have led to a buildup of non-functional "space junk". However, proper disposal of equipment is just added cost for a space program that is already on a tight budget. If space is in fact the "final frontier", then we must learn from our mistakes here on earth and minimized the contamination and pollution of the space. As engineers, we have a moral responsibility to do everything in our power to preserve the environment. We are all stakeholder in this issue because it involves our tax money to fund a lot of these outer space project. But more important emphazies should be made on precerving and taking good care of the evironment we live in and the ones we explore such the outerspace. Back
The Mir operated in very small elliptical orbit at an altitude of 390 kilometers above the Earth’s surface with an inclination of 51.6 degrees. This was more out of convenience for the Russians because it was easy for their main launch complex to launch to and also to avoid launching over China. Due to the Mir’s low altitude, atmospheric drag constantly tried to pull the Mir back to Earth causing its orbit to need to be constantly adjusted. Because of this, the Mir would need help boosting to an optimal operating orbit. In the beginning before all the modules where built the core module had the ability to change the space stations orbit on its own. However, as more modules showed up, resupply ships like the Progress while docked to the
rent study supports the premise that women and men in management have at least equal claim to transformational leadership.
Recycling isn't as good as it is thought to be. Although there are people who think recycled materials can help preserve natural resources, there are some items that it can not be used for. Andrew Handley stated in "10 Ways Recycling Hurts the Environment", that recycled products barely meet the demand with just recycling alone. He also stated that aluminum weakens after being used, so it wouldn't be suitable for some items, like building an airplane or using it in electric circuits. Regardless they are going to mine for new minerals and metals, so it is a waste of time and effort to recycle them when the demand for it goes down every year.
Audience Relevance: Recycling is something most people choose to ignore. Recycling helps the world by reusing trash to make new products. As a result, this helps reduce the amount of trash that rot in landfills and pollution.
Close Reading Connections are something that is sought after by everything in existence, from the smallest element to the vast cosmic/ spiritual scale. Connections are what brings things together and keep them whole, while the opposite detachment leaves things apart. Even in isolation something can be connected while in the same instance something that is surrounded can be detached.