No Longer on the Streets, 'Scavengers' Now Hunt Rocket Wrecks in Space

Who would have thought the profession of ‘scavenger’ is no longer confined to the streets or integrated waste disposal sites on Earth. As human activity in outer space becomes increasingly dense, a new job with a similar task has emerged: collecting ‘rubbish’ that orbits the Earth. The difference is that the waste being cleaned up is not plastic bottles or used cardboard, but dead satellites, spent rocket bodies, and high-velocity metal fragments floating in space. The presence of these ‘space scavengers’ offers new hope for keeping Earth’s orbit safe for the thousands of satellites that support modern life. For more than six decades of humans launching satellites and spacecraft, Earth’s orbit has slowly filled with objects that are no longer functional. Consequently, the increasing number of satellites launched into space makes the problem of space debris ever more serious. According to NASA, there are more than 23,000 objects larger than 10 centimetres travelling at speeds exceeding 29,000 kilometres per hour orbiting Earth, as well as hundreds of thousands of smaller fragments. Although they may seem trivial, these objects can travel at speeds of more than 29,000 kilometres per hour, potentially damaging active satellites or spacecraft in the event of a collision. This situation has spurred the birth of a new industry focused on cleaning up Earth’s orbit. One of its pioneers is the Japanese company Astroscale, which has developed a specialised satellite designed to approach and capture defunct satellites. Once secured, the object is directed to enter Earth’s atmosphere to burn up and no longer pose a threat. Meanwhile, the Swiss company ClearSpace is developing a different technology in the form of a vehicle with four robotic arms. This system is designed to grip rocket bodies or other space debris before removing it from orbit. The mission is supported by various space agencies, including the European Space Agency (ESA), which considers space debris removal an urgent future necessity. Space debris cleanup is now beginning to be seen as a future business opportunity. As the number of satellites launched, particularly for global internet services, continues to rise, the need to keep orbits clean becomes increasingly urgent. Even space agencies such as NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are starting to encourage the development of technology for satellite repair, refuelling, or removal from orbit after their operational life ends. Such measures are expected to reduce the amount of new waste in space. More and more countries and private companies are racing to send satellites into space. If this is not balanced with proper waste management, Earth’s orbit risks becoming a ‘rubbish dump’ that endangers all space activities. Therefore, the presence of these so-called ‘space scavengers’ is no longer just a futuristic concept but a real necessity. Their task is not only to clean the orbit of useless objects but also to ensure space remains safe for global communications, scientific research, and future human exploration missions to the Moon and Mars.