Space Waste Consortium
Space debris (also known as space junk, space pollution, space waste, space trash, or space garbage) is a term for defunct human-made objects in space principally in Earth orbit which no longer serve a useful function. These include derelict spacecraft nonfunctional spacecraft and abandoned launch vehicle stages mission-related debris, and particularly numerous in Earth orbit, fragmentation debris from the breakup of derelict rocket bodies and spacecraft. In addition to derelict human-built objects left in orbit, other examples of space debris include fragments from their disintegration, erosion and collisions, or even paint flecks, solidified liquids expelled from spacecraft, and unburned particles from solid rocket motors. Space debris represents a risk to spacecraft.
Space debris is typically a negative externality it creates an external cost on others from the initial action to launch or use a spacecraft in near-Earth orbit a cost that is typically not taken into account nor fully accounted for in the cost by the launcher or payload owner. Several spacecraft, both manned and unmanned, have been damaged or destroyed by space debris. The measurement, mitigation, and potential removal of debris are conducted by some participants in the space industry.
Blockchain
NASA investigated the possibility of the automatic detection of floating debris while using Blockchain technology. This project aims to help spacecraft avoid floating debris. At the moment, a spacecraft relies still heavily on scientists on Earth that monitor any floating debris. Once detected the scientist has to send any further instructions to the spacecraft, which is millions and millions of kilometers away from Earth. The lag between the two stations and possible disruptions lead to increased risk. Hence, the possibility of autonomous spacecrafts is reviewed, which allows maneuvers without human intervention. In that regard, Blockchain technology can be used to enhance space communication and navigation of spacecrafts. Smart contracts (autonomous contracts) facilitate automatic detection and avoidance. Furthermore, the Blockchain consensus structure supports the resilience of the network. But this project should not be limited to solely avoiding debris. Through the implementation of a Blockchain environment, debris can be avoided, but also detected in order to support the debris collection and cleanup. Blockchain enables the tracking of space debris in orbit. Information regarding debris such as, location, mass, collision probabilities, altitudes can be securely stored in a Blockchain network. This data can either be further processed manually or by the Use of Big Data and AI. Furthermore Blockchain can help to mitigate certain security issues. The crucial information about the debris and its location is securely stored in the Blockchain network. The data in the network remains private and accessible for relevant members. Overall, Blockchain and its smart contracts, in cooperation with other technologies, have the potential to track, avoid or collect debris. The decentralized process will result in a more responsive and resilient network.
Joint Initiative
In the purpose of contributing to using blockchain technology for mapping out space debris and managing space waste, 4 companies (Aratos Group, Blockchain2050 BV, SpaceChain UK and LTO Network) came into action by providing their combined knowledge for supporting NASA’s innovative steps to tracking and monitoring of these various pieces of space debris. Each of these companies contributed in order to generate a non-profit and innovative Space Waste Management initiative that will come to enrich NASA’s existing knowledge until it reach its full potential.
Space Waste Management
Space waste management refers to non-functional, human-made objects like defunct satellites, explosion and collision fragments or discarded rocket bodies orbiting Earth and their cleanup. According to Jer Chyi Liou, Nasa Chief Scientist for Orbit Debris , the total amount of material in Earth orbit reaches over 7,600 tons. Currently around 23000 large objects are being tracked by the US. Moreover, an estimation of over 130 million pieces of debris, which are too small to be tracked (smaller than 1 cm), but still large enough to threaten human spaceflight/robotic missions, exist in the earth orbits. Around 900000 bits are considered dangerous and are big enough to damage/destroy complete spacecraft. Each year more satellites end up on orbit than those being removed and around 4000 satellites exist in space which the majority is non-functional.
Space waste has both environmental and safety challenges. According to , European Space Agency, environmental legislation must operate in the Space industry and in the same jurisdiction as the rest of the planet. The need for environmental protection has to be extended to space and production of the space debris has to be reduced. Hence, new technologies have to be developed in order to reduce the current debris population.
Conclusion
A decentralized, hybrid blockchain, would enable secure sharing between different stakeholders and ensure no degradation or loss of the critical data collected by different vehicles and devices in space. The blockchain technology could be used to design a secure and decentralized infrastructure for sharing and processing the massive data for space debris and space waste management and related solutions. Furthermore, the infrastructure could also facilitate the integration of AI and deep learning-based data analysis. Under such a Blockchain network, spacecrafts, on-board computers, ground high-performance computers and data centers, joint with companies and government agencies, would all be nodes in a network. Communication among various nodes would be secure yet strongly federated.The research community improved the data collection in space by adding space-based IoT satellite systems into that mix along with the use of LTO-Network’s Live Contracts technology.
This technology has been executed in waste management processes in the European Union already. Being both space and earth-based makes an IoT blockchain combo more secure than traditional terrestrial-based systems. Data and blockchain ledgers can be backed up off planet which increases Big Data security, utility and longevity. This is especially important when servicing ultra-high volume applications that require low bandwidth and low service costs.
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