Reducing Risks for Satellites
A space junk collision can damage a satellite and create more debris in orbit. In May 2021, our report explored ESA’s work on artificial intelligence and automated collision avoidance. The aim was to help mission teams respond as traffic around Earth increased.
ESA’s 2021 article on artificial intelligence in spaceflight explains the challenge. In particular, operators must assess potential close approaches and decide whether a spacecraft needs to move. However, an alert does not always lead to an avoidance manoeuvre.
Assessing Space Junk Collision Warnings
Spacecraft controllers monitor warnings and estimate the chance of an impact. They also prepare commands when a change of orbit is necessary. Therefore, each decision involves more than spotting another object nearby.
For example, teams must consider fuel use, ground-station access and the mission’s scientific work. Meanwhile, a manoeuvre can interrupt normal operations. These demands explain why operators need tools that help them assess warnings efficiently.
Space Junk Collision Avoidance and AI
Artificial intelligence can support decisions about space junk collision risks. ESA has explored ways to automate parts of the process as the number of objects in orbit grows. As a result, researchers are looking beyond manual handling of every alert.
Read ESA’s overview of automated collision avoidance for more detail. It describes how teams assess probabilities and prepare commands for satellites. However, automation does not mean that every close approach requires a spacecraft to dodge an object.
Follow Space Safety Developments
This space junk collision article records the discussion around automation in 2021. It does not claim that one system has removed all risks from Earth orbit. In addition, operating satellites and fragments of old hardware present different traffic-management challenges.
For more context, browse RocketBreaks space industry news. You can also explore our Earth-based space experiences to learn about another way to connect with space. Together, these stories show how exploration depends on work both above Earth and on the ground.