A German student has launched a startup to combat the escalating issue of space debris. Luisa Gräf, an aerospace engineering student, has founded the company Stardust Sharing, which aims to prevent the creation of further space debris and to address the existing problem.
Space debris, or ‘space junk’, refers to defunct human-made objects in space, such as old satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from disintegration and collisions. These debris pose a significant threat to both manned and unmanned spaceflight. The European Space Agency estimates that there are around 34,000 objects larger than 10cm in orbit, and millions of smaller pieces, which can cause significant damage to spacecraft and satellites due to their high velocity. Furthermore, each piece of debris has the potential to create more debris if it collides with another object, leading to a domino effect known as the Kessler Syndrome.
Stardust Sharing’s approach to tackling this issue is two-fold. Firstly, the startup aims to prevent the creation of further debris by promoting the sharing of satellites. This involves multiple users sharing the same satellite for different purposes, rather than each entity launching its own individual satellite. This approach not only reduces the number of satellites being launched, but also makes space exploration more accessible and economical for smaller entities.
Secondly, the company is developing a technology known as Active Debris Removal (ADR). This involves the use of spacecraft designed to capture and remove existing space debris. While the concept of ADR is not new, the challenge lies in making it economically viable. Gräf and her team are focusing on ways to make ADR more cost-effective, such as using low-cost launchers and small, lightweight spacecraft.
The startup has already attracted attention from the space community and has partnered with the University of Stuttgart’s Institute of Space Systems, which provides technical support and expertise. Stardust Sharing is also part of the European Space Agency’s business incubation program, which supports startups in the space sector.
Gräf emphasizes that tackling the space debris problem requires a collective effort, involving not only technical solutions but also regulatory measures and international cooperation. While Stardust Sharing’s initiatives represent a step in the right direction, the startup is just one of many entities worldwide working towards a cleaner and safer space environment.
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