High-Level Project Summary
“Space is big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly hugely mind-bogglingly big it is,” writes Douglas Adams in the cult sci-fi novel, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.It might seem absurd, then, that space is also crowded – at least, the region closest to Earth.Why are we so intent on exploring space when we have so many problems right here on Earth? From resource management, to multispectral imaging, to radar mappers, our space-based tools can help us solve Earth-based problems. Soon, armadas of small satellites will connect the world by bringing the internet to everybody.
Link to Project "Demo"
Link to Final Project
Detailed Project Description
At present, more than 2,200 operational satellites are orbiting Earth. But the growing concern is the inoperative satellites, spent rockets and debris that also clutter the region – collectively called space debris or space junk.
From the moment humanity entered space with the launch of Sputnik I in 1957, orbital debris began to accumulate. By 2020, those 2,200 operational satellites were joined by approximately 34,000 pieces of debris 10 cm in diameter or larger, roughly 900,000 objects from 1 cm to 10 cm, and more than 128,000,000 pieces under 1 cm. The mass of debris in Earth orbit totals nearly 7 million kilograms. While orbits eventually decay and debris can re-enter and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, the process can take years.
Both satellites and space junk are primarily concentrated in two regions.
Space Agency Data
Nasa
Hackathon Journey
niceee
References
Global Judging
This project has been submitted for consideration during the Judging process.