Is NASA’s plan for cleaning up space debris environmentally friendly enough?

In 2026, the European Space Agency and Clearspace plan to launch a spacecraft equipped with robotic arms that will capture a 250-pound rocket part and safely guide it back to Earth’s atmosphere, where both the rocket part and spacecraft will burn up. This initiative comes in response to the increasing issue of space debris, as highlighted by the U.S. Space Force’s findings that the rocket part has been hit by smaller debris. This further underscores the urgency and necessity of taking action to address the growing problem of space junk.

While America is expected to lead its own space junk disposal missions, NASA is still in the process of finalizing its space sustainability plan before proceeding with major decisions. Previous experiences at DARPA have provided insight into various concepts for decluttering orbit, such as using harpoons, nets, or an orbital catcher’s mitt to collect space litter. However, the execution of such concepts will require significant time and resources.

NASA’s budget allocations are determined by Congress, and recent cuts to the agency’s budget have impacted funding for the Mars sample return mission and other programs. Investing in a debris disposal mission would require substantial financial commitments. A cost-benefit analysis conducted by NASA suggests that removing the top 50 most concerning objects in low Earth orbit, particularly derelict rocket bodies and objects near critical satellites, would be expensive yet beneficial in the long run. Developing technologies like lasers to redirect impending collisions would also be a cost-effective strategy.

Despite the importance of immediate action to address space trash, it is essential to recognize that active debris removal alone cannot solve the issue of space pollution. Aaron Boley, a planetary scientist and cofounder of the Outer Space Institute, emphasizes the need for a comprehensive strategy on space sustainability that addresses both cleanup efforts and changes in behavior to prevent further pollution. Implementing effective measures to mitigate space debris will require ongoing collaboration and innovation within the space community.