36,500 objects larger than 10cm.
THE PROBLEM
COMMENTS FROM THE INDUSTRY
The ISS alone has had to make 32 manoueveres to avoid space debris since its inception in 1999, five of those in just the last two years. If a 10cm or larger object were to hit the ISS, that would generate the kinetic energy of a large bomb. Almost all of the space debris of this size can be tracked, but a breakdown in communication could be catastrophic to any spacecraft operator.
Collision Risk
1
There is no global Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) system that can provide comprehensive and reliable information about all space debris objects and their orbits. This creates uncertainties and inefficiencies in the collision avoidance and reentry prediction processes. International co-operation on this matter is critical.
Gaps in Tracking
3
"Over many decades, the growth in space debris will make orbit operations more hazardous, and more costly. The growth of debris will make tracking and avoiding the debris more complicated, costly, and operationally difficult. It might be tough to perform a mission if frequent maneuvers are required to avoid debris. And a satellite would have to carry extra fuel for these extra maneuvers and would likely need to shield critical areas from collisions with small debris." - The Aerospace Corporation.
Kessler Syndrome
2
ESA's ClearSpace 1 Mission will cost $104 million USD to remove one piece of space debris. There are estimated 35,000 pieces of debris larger than 10cm. Clearly this is financially unsustainable and it is OpenSpace International's mission to encourage industry RFPs and in-orbit demonstration to drive this cost down to financially viable levels.