Title: The Gentrification of Space: Elon Musk and Kessler Syndrome
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Chapter 1: The Illusion of Space Exploration
Critique Elon Musk online, and his supporters will rush to his aid, proclaiming him a visionary destined to lead humanity to Mars. However, this notion is misguided. Musk, born into privilege, has merely capitalized on the ingenuity of others, all while his wealth is built on the backs of overworked Tesla employees. One can only dread the potential for a new form of indentured servitude that his vision for space might entail.
Much like Tony Stark, Musk operates without accountability. The current billionaire space race resembles a vanity project, with immense resources squandered on competition rather than collaborative efforts for a greater good. Instead of democratizing space for all, these billionaires are merely claiming ownership over it.
This scenario serves as a metaphor for the dire situation on Earth, where the relentless greed of the wealthy is dismantling the ecosystem. Their privilege may delay the consequences, but by attempting to monopolize space, they risk annihilating its vast potential for everyone, including themselves—albeit after a few selfies in orbit.
We inhabit a single livable planet and share one atmosphere. While a hundred billion galaxies render Earth insignificant, the only pathway to explore that cold expanse is by transcending Earth's gravitational pull. Near space serves as a gateway to further ventures into the cosmos.
Yet, we are transforming that gateway into a perilous environment filled with lethal debris, known as the Kessler Syndrome.
Section 1.1: Understanding Kessler Syndrome
The adage "What goes up must come down" fails to apply when it comes to escape velocity. A baseball thrown straight up will return shortly, but one launched at over 11.2 kilometers per second can achieve orbit, circling Earth like a miniature moon. NASA monitors the 27,000 largest debris pieces, yet since Sputnik’s launch in 1957, at least 170 million objects have been sent into space, creating an alarming amount of space junk.
At speeds reaching 10 km/s (22,000 mph), even a 1-centimeter paint fleck can impact with the force of a 250 kg object traveling at 97 km/h (or 550 pounds at 60 mph). A 10-centimeter piece can deliver an impact equivalent to 7 kilograms (15.4 pounds) of TNT. To put this in perspective, here's a video showcasing what only 2 kg of TNT looks like.
We have already witnessed incidents where flying debris has struck equipment on the International Space Station, forcing astronauts to take cover from near misses involving hazardous space junk. Each new launch exacerbates this issue, slightly increasing the risk.
More critically, collisions between debris generate even more fragments. When just two pieces collided in 2009, they produced 2,500 large debris pieces and an unknown number of smaller ones. Each of these fragments poses a threat of further collisions, creating a chain reaction.
This tipping point, identified by Donald Kessler, suggests that high-speed collisions can trigger a runaway effect, creating a perpetual cloud of dangerous micro-debris. Any mission aimed at space would have to navigate through this hazardous environment, effectively transforming space into a perilous zone.
Section 1.2: The Corporate Influence on Space
Research is underway to find solutions for capturing space debris, but currently, these efforts remain theoretical, and the window for action is closing. Capitalist motivations only worsen the situation.
It's crucial to clarify that this issue isn't limited to a few billionaire joyrides; it encompasses all wealthy individuals and corporations driven by profit. Musk simply embodies this trend.
Satellites can be utilized for critical purposes, such as tracking extreme weather to save lives. However, corporate interests often prioritize advertising in space over societal benefits.
Launching objects into orbit is expensive. Satellites are equipped with fuel to adjust their trajectories, allowing them to avoid potential collisions. However, corporations frequently opt not to change course, even when their satellites are on a collision path with NASA’s, gambling on the odds while publicly funded entities bear the burden.
When a satellite reaches the end of its life, it can be sent to a “graveyard orbit”—a space away from operational satellites. Unfortunately, corporations often abandon their defunct satellites in hazardous orbits because it's cheaper, avoiding any liability.
Efforts to clean up space debris face significant challenges. Corporations may claim ownership of the debris or assert that it contains proprietary technology, complicating cleanup efforts in Low Earth Orbit. Given that every piece of debris belongs to a private entity or government, tackling this issue could lead to complex legal disputes.
The cost of addressing space debris is prohibitively high, and no government has the incentive to intervene.
Chapter 2: The Future of Space Travel
As a child, I envisioned becoming an astronaut, believing that space travel was reserved for the exceptionally qualified. These individuals dedicated years to honing their skills for scientific endeavors. Today, space has become a playground for billionaires, with wealth serving as the sole qualification for entry. The potential for safely sending anyone into orbit may soon become a dangerous gamble, stripping away the promise of space due to greed.
It's akin to erecting a razor-wire fence around our planet, trapping us inside as the climate crisis intensifies.
As above, so below.