If the growing space debris problem is not adequately addressed within the next 50 years, satellite and space junk could cause a chain reaction of collisions, creating a cataclysmic breakdown of global communications systems and causing trillions of dollars in damages, a leading expert in the US has warned.
“The Kessler Syndrome is going to come true,” said John L Crassidis, a professor of innovation and space debris expert at the University at Buffalo in western New York.
He was referring to Nasa scientist and astrophysicist Donald Kessler, who, in the late 1970s, first raised concerns and projections about the problem of space junk.
“If the probability of a collision is so great that we can’t put a satellite in space, then we’re in trouble,” said Mr Crassidis, who worked for Nasa from 1994 to 1996, and still works alongside the space agency as well as the US Air Force and other government entities to monitor space debris.
His warning comes days after Anu Ojha, a director with the UK's Space Agency, shared similar sentiments about the need to “urgently” police the number of objects orbiting Earth.
According to various estimates, there are about 10,000 satellites in orbit as of 2023 and more than 100 trillion untracked pieces of old satellites still circling the planet.
In recent years, the number of satellites being launched into orbit has spiked, as companies like SpaceX capitalise on the ability to launch satellites in a cost-effective manner.
The big problems, according to Mr Crassidis, are the satellites that are either secretive due to national defence reasons or unaccounted for due to their age.
There’s also the issue of varying policies and enforcement guidelines in different countries.
He pointed to an incident in 2009, when a deactivated Russian communications satellite, Kosmos 2251, collided with a US commercial satellite, Iridium.
“That debris field was crazy,” he said, referring to the aftermath of the collision which created even more space junk, increasing the potential for more collisions.
In 2021, a Russian missile destroyed an obsolete Russian satellite as part of a test, but it resulted in so much debris that astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station had to undertake emergency procedures to stay safe.
“That’s the stuff I’m worried about – those pieces can go right through an astronaut,” said Mr Crassidis.
Back in October, in an unprecedented move, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it would be issuing its first ever space debris fine, a penalty of $150,000 to Dish Network, for failing to comply with deorbiting regulations required by US law.
“This is a breakthrough settlement,” said FCC enforcement bureau chief Loyaan Egal. “It makes it very clear that the FCC has strong enforcement authority and capability to enforce its vitally important space debris rules.”
Mr Crassidis, however, cautioned that although the fine was a step in the right direction, it is not by any means a fix to the space debris problem.
“I thought it should have been higher,” he said, referring to the fine. “It’s peanuts to them; it was really small.”
According to Nasa, there are currently two conventional ways to deal with obsolete space satellites: the first method uses the last bit of fuel in the devices to slowly bring them out of orbit, allowing them to eventually burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere, and the other option involves sending the satellite into a higher orbit where it won’t be able to cause problems.
Sometimes, however, as Mr Crassidis points out, technical glitches, miscalculation of fuel requirements and secrecy with regard to spy satellites can create problems with tracking, and therefore increase the likelihood of collisions.
There are efforts under way from the international scientific community involving the potential use of nets, harpoons, robotic arms and even magnets to deal with the growing space junk problem, but most of those solutions are in the early test stages, and not cost effective.
Britain’s Space Minister George Freeman recently proposed a global system of rules to regulate space involving Kitemarks on satellites that would hypothetically ensure any new satellite going into orbit would meet the standards necessary to ensure they don’t pose a danger to other satellites.
That idea, according to Mr Freeman, enjoyed the support of both Switzerland and Canada, but it’s not clear yet if it will receive worldwide acceptance – an ongoing problem faced by many of these proposals, according to Mr Crassidis.
“The most practical thing we can do is to better characterise and track the debris better,” he said, noting that his company, XAnalytix Systems, operates in that particular area, and his ongoing research at the University at Buffalo allows him to research the problem while also encouraging students to do so as well.
“We're going to pass this problem along to them,” he said, referring to students.
“We want to improve the debris tracking models so we can ultimately track everything better.”
Although not directly tied to the issue of space debris, the Artemis Accords, an international treaty spearheaded by Nasa, does provide a foundation for the problem to be addressed.
The accords, signed by 33 nations, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, UK and Canada, seek to create a shared vision of peaceful space co-operation.
“Preserving a safe and sustainable environment in space is critical for both public and private activities … Nasa and partner nations will agree to plan for the mitigation of orbital debris, including the safe, timely and efficient passivation and disposal of spacecraft at the end of their missions,” reads part of the agreement.
As for Mr Crassidis, he welcomes the potential for co-operation on the space junk issue, but said more nations need to be on the same page.
“We have to share information,” he said, acknowledging the difficulty of that approach in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment. “It’s not going to work until you get all countries willing to buy into that.”
Points classification after Stage 4
1. Arnaud Demare (France / FDJ) 124
2. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step) 81
3. Michael Matthews (Australia / Sunweb) 66
4. Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto) 63
5. Alexander Kristoff (Norway / Katusha) 43
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Ben White
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Raheem Sterling
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Overview
Cricket World Cup League Two: Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience
by David Gilmour
Allen Lane
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
AGUERO'S PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD
Apps: 186
Goals: 127
Assists: 31
Wins: 117
Losses: 33
MATCH INFO
Group B
Bayern Munich v Tottenham, midnight (Thursday)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
ILT20%20UAE%20stars
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Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now