The Japanese government has announced a program to monitor space debris and protect satellites against astral junk. Earth’s atmosphere is littered with about 3,000 pieces of space debris, each orbiting at an incredible speed, creating dangerous condition for astronauts and satellites alike.
Japan is the first nation in the world to take an active responsibility in resolving a problem affecting all nations with stakes in satellites. The plan will be carried out by Japan’s Defense Ministry with the help of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), which will be operating radar and telescope facilities in the Okayama prefecture. Additional telescopes and resources will be acquired from Japan Space Forum, a Tokyo-based space think tank that owns the Spaceguard Center radar facility in Kagamino and telescope facility in Ihara.
Above: an artist's rendition of the space debris orbiting Earth. If collided with, each chunk of debris has the potential to cause billions of dollars worth of damage.
The Defense Ministry has altered the initial proposal made in January, to include a nondisclosed space fighting force made of up of units from the Air Self-Defense Force. A law enacted in 2008 permits the Pacific nation use of military force for space-bound activities assuming it will provide the U.S. Strategic Command with any information obtained during the operation. As the first attempt in militarizing space, this is an alarming venture.
How the Japanese Defense Ministry plans to eliminate the space debris is currently unknown; proposals have included removing from garbage using a vast magnetic net. My fingers remain crossed that the endeavor will include giant mechanized robots.
Via Scmp
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