Cleaning Up Space: Technologies, Missions, and the Future of Orbital Debris Removal

By Oluchi Ike

In the decades since humanity first ventured beyond Earth's atmosphere, space has become a vital extension of our daily lives-supporting communications, navigation, weather forecasting, defense, and exploration. However, this expansion has come at a cost. Thousands of inactive satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or explosions now orbit our planet at high speeds, posing a serious threat to operational spacecraft, the International Space Station, and future missions.
This book, Cleaning Up Space, explores the urgent and fascinating field of Active Debris Removal (ADR)-an emerging frontier in aerospace engineering and environmental responsibility. From advanced capture technologies and robotic arms to harpoons, nets, and laser systems, innovators across the globe are racing to develop and deploy systems that can mitigate the growing problem of orbital debris.
We delve into real and proposed missions from space agencies, private companies, and international collaborations, shedding light on the technical, logistical, economic, and policy challenges of cleaning up space. Finally, we look ahead to the future-examining the innovations on the horizon and the role sustainable practices must play in humanity's spacefaring destiny.
This book is for students, professionals, policymakers, and curious minds who want to understand how we can preserve the final frontier-not just for the current generation, but for all those to come.
Oluchi Ike

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F6LPX7HR
• ISBN13: 9798281530637
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 108 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 8.5" x 11.0"