Our solar system is bombarded with cosmic rays and solar storm salvos of powerful particles, all of which can penetrate a satellite, destroy its electronics microscopically, and, in extreme situations, render it worthless.
FREMONT, CA: More than 9,000 objects have been sent into space by 80 countries and multilateral organizations since the advent of the space age in 1957, with roughly 800 in the last year alone. While there are many advantages to this rapid increase in space-based endeavors, such as improved communications, scientific discoveries, and enhanced national security, to mention a few, there are also some disadvantages. The more crowded space becomes, the more contentious it becomes, posing national and international security threats.
Let us look at the three most significant threats to satellites:
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High-altitude nuclear explosions
Launching a nuclear weapon into low-Earth orbit (LEO) and detonating it could be enough for an opponent to damage hundreds of satellites and severely cripple a country. Although nuclear explosions in space have been prohibited by international treaty since 1963, we need to be able to secure our space assets from a rogue nuclear event by knowing where and for how long we may deploy our satellites. We'd also like to know if there are any techniques to lessen or eliminate the blast's artificial radiation belt.
Congestion in space
Currently, almost 3,000 operational satellites are orbiting Earth, and this number is growing due to the development of small satellite launch options, especially into low-Earth orbit (LEO). Humans will likely be launching more than 1,100 satellites per year in the not-too-distant future, dramatically increasing the probability of collisions. A single minor collision might send thousands of BB-sized pellets flying across space at thousands of kilometers per hour in diverse directions. If a handful of those BBs hit another satellite, the damaged satellite would generate more orbital debris, causing a chain reaction.
Space weather
Although space may appear to be an empty, void nothingness, the space environment is highly dynamic. For example, our solar system is bombarded with cosmic rays and solar storm salvos of powerful particles, all of which can penetrate a satellite, destroy its electronics microscopically, and, in extreme situations, render it worthless.
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