Ruimteschroot

Ruimteschroot, also known as space debris or orbital debris, refers to discarded human-made objects in Earth's orbit. This includes a wide range of items, from defunct satellites and spent rocket stages to tiny fragments of paint and metal that have broken off larger objects. The first instances of space debris appeared shortly after the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957.

The accumulation of ruimteschroot has become a growing concern for space exploration and satellite operations. Collisions between debris fragments and active satellites can cause significant damage or destruction, leading to more debris. This creates a cascading effect known as the Kessler Syndrome, where the density of debris increases to a point where it becomes impossible to safely navigate Earth's orbit.

International space agencies and organizations are actively involved in tracking and monitoring space debris. Efforts are underway to develop technologies and strategies for debris mitigation and removal. These include designing satellites to de-orbit themselves at the end of their mission, developing methods to capture and remove existing large debris, and improving the tracking of smaller fragments. The long-term sustainability of space activities depends on effectively managing the challenge of ruimteschroot.