Title: A review of possible solutions to mitigate the abundance of space debris

Authors: Jennifer Stein; David Castillo; Elise Bedell; Erriana Thomas; Nicolas Valiente

Addresses: Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, 300 Weil Hall, 1949 Stadium Road, Gainesville, FL 32611-6550, USA ' Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, 300 Weil Hall, 1949 Stadium Road, Gainesville, FL 32611-6550, USA ' Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, 300 Weil Hall, 1949 Stadium Road, Gainesville, FL 32611-6550, USA ' Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, 300 Weil Hall, 1949 Stadium Road, Gainesville, FL 32611-6550, USA ' Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, 300 Weil Hall, 1949 Stadium Road, Gainesville, FL 32611-6550, USA

Abstract: This paper assesses current mitigation strategies with reference to the abundance of space debris in order to project the most cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, efficient, and lasting solution. Space debris is the accumulation of disposed and inoperative man-made objects that are within Earth orbit, all of which have posed great threats to spacecraft and future space operations. The increasing dangers have enabled concerns to be addressed through the conduction of research as well as answers to remaining questions to be pursued. This paper performs a comparative analysis on today's solutions to tracking and reducing orbital debris so that the most sustainable solution is honed in on. Implications of future practices to space debris mitigation are explored by considering today's technological limits.

Keywords: space debris; space; claw capture; laser broom; magnetic capture.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPR.2023.134236

International Journal of Student Project Reporting, 2023 Vol.1 No.4, pp.349 - 368

Received: 03 Aug 2022
Accepted: 18 Jan 2023
Published online: 13 Oct 2023 *

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