Clutter in space presents an imminent threat to human activity at or above the #Kármán #line,
the altitude at which conventional aircraft can no longer fly
—about 62 miles (100 kilometers) above the surface.
As more objects are launched into orbit, the possibility of #catastrophic #collisions increases.
More frequent collisions increase the volume of debris, thereby raising the odds of another collision.
Like a traffic jam, eventually the area becomes so congested that nothing can move safely.
The minimum speeds necessary to achieve orbit are very high,
thus everything up there moves extremely fast.
Basic physics teaches that the faster an object moves, the higher energy it carries into an impact scenario.
For this reason, even tiny morsels pack a devastating punch.
For example:
An object 10 cm wide (3.9 inches) packs the same force as 7 kg (15.4 lbs.) of TNT.
With limited ability to conduct repairs and collect debris,
the problem worsens with each occurrence.
Decades ago, a NASA physicist calculated how this situation can eventually devolve into disaster.
He determined that putting low earth orbit (where most human-made objects reside) into such a state of chaos will lead to space travel
—manned or unmanned
—eventually becoming impossible.
This principle is now called the #Kessler #Syndrome.
https://robertvanwey.substack.com/p/the-imminence-of-the-#destruction