NASA Recommendation
The NASA Orbital Debris Program Office further states the danger of small space debris:
- "Remediation techniques need to focus on removal of small sized (but still damaging) debris"
- "Current conjunction assessments and collision avoidance maneuvers against the tracked objects (which are typically 10 cm and larger) only address a small fraction (<1%) of the mission-ending risk from orbital debris"
Which space-based services are at risk?
Internet
Financial
The backbone of today's economy relies upon computer broadband network operations, which rely heavily upon the timing functions provided by satellites.
Financial
Financial
Stock markets, banks, ATMs, point-of-sale transactions, and mobile banking rely heavily upon timing functions provided by satellites.
Transportation
Earth observation
Transportation, whether air, maritime, or automotive, all rely upon location and navigation functions provided by satellites.
Earth observation
Earth observation
Earth observation
Weather reports, land surveys to monitor crop health, illegal logging, global ice cover, and military surveillance all rely upon satellites.
Communication
Earth observation
Communication
Mobile phones, TV, data, video conferencing, amateur radio, and military messaging rely upon satellites.
Power
Earth observation
Communication
Electricity transmission and networks that balance demand rely upon satellites.
Space, science, exploration
Space, science, exploration
Space, science, exploration
Space telescopes, space stations, and soon space tourism all require a sustainable space environment that is maintained in order to avoid collisions with space debris.