As more countries and companies plan missions to the moon, there is growing concern about the amount of space junk that will be left behind.
There is already a lot of trash on the moon, including spacecraft remains, spent rocket boosters, and human waste. This junk poses a hazard to future missions, as it could collide with spacecraft or satellites.
The problem is even worse in Earth orbit. There are currently around 23,000 objects larger than 10 centimeters (4 inches) orbiting Earth, and millions of smaller pieces of debris. This debris can travel at speeds of up to 15,000 miles per hour, making it a major hazard to spacecraft.
The lack of regulation around space junk is a major problem. There is no international law that requires countries or companies to clean up their debris. This means that the problem is only going to get worse as more missions are launched.
There are a number of different technologies that could be used to clean up space junk. One approach is to use nets or harpoons to capture debris. Another approach is to use lasers to vaporize debris. However, these technologies are still in development, and it is not clear when they will be ready for use.
In the meantime, the best way to prevent space junk is to reduce the amount of debris that is created in the first place. This means being more careful about what is left behind after a mission, and developing new technologies that can help to deorbit spacecraft at the end of their lifespan.
The problem of space junk is a complex one, but it is one that needs to be addressed. If we do not take action soon, the problem will only get worse, and it could eventually make it impossible to safely launch missions into space.