NASA needs to do more to understand the risks posed by spacecraft from space debris and to find new ways to mitigate the threat, according to a weekly report by the Office of the Inspector General.
Why does it matter: Some see space junk as an environmental crisis in orbit. Millions of pieces of space debris move around the Earth at speeds of more than 17,000 mph, putting spaceships and sometimes people in danger.
News management: The new OIG report suggests that while NASA has done a good job of debiting its own spacecraft and missile bodies, many other nations have not been as proactive, launching spacecraft and missiles that remain in orbit for more than 25 years. recommended years.
- Now, experts warn that the space agency will have to both reduce the debris already in space and prevent the creation of future debris to keep the spacecraft safe in the future.
- “Despite presidential and congressional directives to NASA over the past decade to develop active debris removal technologies, the Agency has made little or no progress on these efforts,” OIG wrote.
- The OIG also recommended that NASA should develop a better means of tracking and understanding the nature of spacecraft in orbit to more effectively protect its spacecraft.
Capture: Nations and private companies are working to find ways to clean up space efficiently, but these technologies are still in their infancy.