Wilniady Sepúlveda López: Satellites

Knowledge in physics can describe almost everything in the modern world. One of the most important fields in physics is the study of the universe. Theories and laws, like The Theory of Relativity , are very significant for the understanding of the mechanism behind the working and existence  of the planets surrounding the Sun, other solar systems, and galaxies in general. Since 1957, when the Soviet Union sent the first artificial satellite into space, the Sputnik 1,  the history of the world was change. The first satellite sent to space was launched during the years of the Cold War between United States and the Soviet Union. Citizens in the US were fearful. This satellite meant that the Soviet Union had gained a tactical advantage over the US. In response the US sent their first artificial satellite in 1958 named Explorer 1. 

Until 2012, the number of artificial satellites in space exceeds 2,250 satellites, all of these being launched from many different countries over the decades.  The year 2013 was the first time the country of Ecuador sent a satellite into orbit. Satellites can be separated into many categories. For example: “assassin satellites” which are designed to eliminate enemy satellites; spy satellites; astronomic satellites;  communications satellites;  satellites for terrestrial studies; solar energy satellites and Spatial Stations. Is important to highlight that when the functional life of a satellite ends, it become space trash.  In November 29, 2013 ESA (European Space Agency) sent three satellites into space to explore Earth's magnetic field. Swarm, the three satellites, are equipped with high end magnetometers and were elaborated with carbon fiber; no iron or additives were used which might have contain ferric impurities. The functional life of the satellites will be four years approximately.  

Artificial satellites are interesting for me since part of how they work is related to gravity and orbital forces in the Solar system. The physics analysis involved in the development of each satellite is unique to each satellite since each one of them is sent to a specific destination in a different environment. A failure calculation implies the loss of millions of dollars, work efforts and time. All these satellites are sent with specific purposes and have a determined lifetime. Not all of the satellites in space are functional right now. We may ask ourselves; why is it that countries do not invest in new technology to clean up space debris?  If technology exists to send artificial satellite into orbit, why not invest in research and development for new technology to clear space orbits? Satellites are made and develop faster and in a more efficient way but no one seem to care about space pollution. In a future, not far away from the 21st century, satellites could cover an entire orbit space above Earth.

Over the years, Hollywood has created many movies about space, missions to the moon, etc. One of my favorite movies, related to this field, is Wall-E. There is a scene when the main character, a little robot named Wall-e,  flies outside of a spacecraft and passes between a huge amount of satellites debris in orbit. In the future satellite's space orbits will probably look like this movie scene. Physics might help solve this problem, but will countries and governments take decisive actions to engage this problem that puts in danger the future of our space?