Since the launch of Sputnik on 4 October 1957, more than 4,200 launches have placed some 5500 satellites into orbit. Currently about 700 satellites are used operationally for science and other applications. Space debris comprise the ever-increasing amount of inactive space hardware in orbit around the Earth as well as fragments of spacecraft that have broken up, exploded or otherwise become abandoned.
Mitigation scenarios - Avoidance of mission-related objects (MRO)
Credits:
ESA
ID number:
SEMWMOK26DF
HI-RES JPG size:
1225 kb
HI-RES TIFF size:
11 310 kb
Description
A measure against space debris is minimizing the number of objects released during spacecraft operations. Typical “mission-related objects” (MRO) are adapters used between two satellites in a dual launch, telescope covers, bolts, yo-yos, etc. Spacecraft designers and operators need to design missions so that objects stay attached to the spacecraft and do not become additional space debris.
