How Space Junk Could Crash the Global Economy | Andrea Antonello

Space Debris Problem - A marble in orbit gains 8 kilometers per second of speed, about 20 times faster than a bullet, posing a significant threat to satellites [1] - A tiny object in orbit possesses the energy of a hand grenade, capable of shattering satellites into thousands of dangerous fragments [2][3] - There are over 36,000 large pieces of debris being tracked and millions more too small to track, constantly circling Earth [6] - Space is becoming overcrowded, increasing the risk of collisions, similar to a busy highway [8] - The 2009 collision between an American and a Russian satellite created over 2,000 new pieces of debris, many still posing a risk after 15 years [9][10] - The Kessler syndrome describes a potential runaway chain reaction of collisions, a very real possibility if no action is taken [12][13][14] - A serious collision in space could disrupt essential satellite-dependent systems like navigation, communication, weather updates, and financial transactions, potentially causing a global blackout [5][15][16] Clear Space Solution - Clear Space is launching its first mission in 2028 to remove space debris using a spacecraft with an innovative grasping system [17][18] - Clear Space One will capture debris and release it back into Earth's atmosphere to burn up without leaving residue [21] - The goal is to make space debris cleanup a routine part of satellite launches and disposal [21][22] Call to Action - Addressing space debris is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration between governments, private companies, scientists, and the public [24]