Törmäysuhan

Törmäysuhan refers to the risk of collision between two or more objects in space. This is a growing concern as the number of satellites and space debris increases. Satellites in orbit, particularly those in low Earth orbit (LEO), are vulnerable to collisions with other operational satellites, defunct satellites, and fragments of debris.

The primary source of concern is space debris, which consists of discarded rocket bodies, defunct satellites, and fragments generated from past collisions or anti-satellite weapon tests. These objects travel at extremely high velocities, meaning even a small piece of debris can cause catastrophic damage to an active spacecraft.

Orbital mechanics dictate that objects in similar orbits are at higher risk of encountering each other. The Kessler Syndrome is a theoretical scenario where the density of space debris in LEO becomes so high that collisions create a cascade of further debris, rendering space unusable.

Several organizations, including NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), track space objects and predict potential conjunctions. When a collision risk is identified above a certain threshold, mitigation strategies are employed. These can include maneuvering the spacecraft to a safer orbit or, in some cases, deorbiting the satellite at the end of its mission to prevent it from becoming long-lived debris.

Ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities requires ongoing efforts to monitor space objects, reduce the generation of new debris, and develop technologies for debris removal.