Space debris: urgent need for action to ensure safe satellites!

Space debris: urgent need for action to ensure safe satellites!

On March 9, 2025, the Technical University of Braunschweig (TU) announced several groundbreaking developments in research and technology that have both local and global relevance. The Executive Board of TU Braunschweig supports the call for voter participation in the upcoming federal election and calls on students and members of the university to have their vote. This shows the active role of the university in political processes that extend beyond academic walls.

Another important project is the TU's collaboration with the Institute for Space Systems and the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a new reference model for space debris. This initiative highlights the increasing urgency to address the problem of space debris that threatens satellites, space stations and future missions. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), there are currently over 36,860 pieces of debris recorded in space, coming from a variety of sources, including retired satellites and rocket remnants that entered orbit since the first satellite 'Sputnik' was launched in 1957 dgvn.de.

Research initiatives for sustainable technologies

What is particularly striking in the research projects at TU Braunschweig is the partnership with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (IST) to develop new hydrogen technologies at the Salzgitter Hydrogen Campus. These technologies are crucial for future energy supplies and for achieving sustainable development goals.

Professor Kai Richter has been newly appointed to research more environmentally friendly aerospace technologies. Research into such technologies is becoming increasingly important as aviation makes a significant contribution to global CO2 emissions. The TU continues to be involved in interdisciplinary research projects that aim to achieve technological progress.

Creativity and innovation in teaching

There are also positive developments in the area of ​​teaching. One example is the expansion of Merle Riecke's OpenBikeSensor project to include a fine dust sensor that is used to measure air pollutants. This shows how students and researchers work together to develop practical solutions to everyday environmental problems.

The city of Braunschweig, together with the Institute for Sustainable Urbanism, has launched a call for creative project ideas for climate adaptation by March 12th. This integrative approach to strengthening community uses and sustainable urban development is essential to meeting the challenges of climate change.

International perspectives and challenges

Regarding the international challenges surrounding space debris, Pascal Faucher, Chair of the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking Partnership, emphasizes the urgency of taking action. Technological exchange and innovation are needed to protect space. There are currently over 13,230 satellites in orbit, of which around 10,200 are functional, and the number of active satellites is constantly growing. In 2010 there were still 1,000 active satellites; today there are over 10,000 dgvn.de.

The so-called 'Kessler effect', which can be triggered by collisions in space, poses a significant threat to future space exploration. An example of this is the collision between "Iridium 33" and "Kosmos 2251" in 2009, which created 1,700 new pieces of debris.

The challenges in the area of ​​space use are also compounded by different national views on responsibility and liability, making uniform regulation difficult spiegel.de.

In summary, it shows that TU Braunschweig is not only committed within the academic world, but also actively contributes to solving global problems such as space debris. Your initiatives are crucial to sustainably overcome future challenges and advance global exchange and technologies.