{"id":519934,"date":"2023-09-25T10:30:14","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T14:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=519934"},"modified":"2024-01-11T16:14:44","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T21:14:44","slug":"nasa-seeks-solutions-to-detect-track-clean-up-small-space-debris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/stmd-prizes-challenges-crowdsourcing-program\/center-of-excellence-for-collaborative-innovation-coeci\/coeci-news\/nasa-seeks-solutions-to-detect-track-clean-up-small-space-debris\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA Seeks Solutions to Detect, Track, Clean Up Small Space Debris"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/detecttrackremediate.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"596\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/detecttrackremediate.png?w=580\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"View of Earth from space with the Sun peaking out slightly from behind the planet. Some space debris is orbiting around Earth.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 48% 19%; object-position: 48% 19%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/detecttrackremediate.png 580w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/detecttrackremediate.png?resize=292,300 292w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/detecttrackremediate.png?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/detecttrackremediate.png?resize=389,400 389w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Decades of space exploration have provided us with invaluable knowledge of Earth, our Solar System, and beyond. But, it has also led to an unintended consequence \u2013 orbital debris. In an effort to clean up space, NASA is seeking solutions from innovators across the globe. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freelancer.com\/contest\/Detect-Track-and-Remediate-The-Challenge-of-Small-Space-Debris-2307546\/details\" rel=\"noopener\">The Detect, Track, and Remediate: The Challenge of Small Space Debris<\/a> competition invites participants to contribute groundbreaking concepts to detect, characterize, track, or remediate debris in low Earth orbit (LEO).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As humanity\u2019s presence in space has expanded, so has the number of objects orbiting Earth. There are currently millions of tiny objects (between 1 millimeter and 10 centimeters, or just under 4 inches) in LEO. This debris can travel at high speeds, posing potential risks to current and future spacecraft. The United States Space Surveillance Network tracks larger debris, but the network does not currently track and monitor small objects. A more robust, scalable system is needed to successfully detect, track, and remediate small space debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The challenge encourages the public to think creatively, considering technologies and processes that may be less explored but have the potential for significant impact. Participants may submit a proposed solution to one of three challenge categories to win part of the $120,000 prize purse. The categories are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Detect\/Characterize: The current state of the art in detecting and characterizing small space debris involves radar systems, optical telescopes, and data fusion algorithms. These technologies provide valuable information about the size shape and distribution of large debris objects, but their natural limits in resolution are not sufficient for the detection of smaller objects. A successful solution should deliver real-time, accurate data on debris orbits, physical properties, position, velocity, and potential collision risks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Track: Tracking small space debris involves continuous monitoring of position and trajectory. Ground-based radar stations and optical telescopes contribute to tracking efforts, but radar and laser systems are not cost-effective. Further, improvements in sensor capabilities are needed to track the smallest debris fragments. A viable solution should provide a comprehensive and up-to-date database of debris trajectories, aiding in space traffic management, collision avoidance, and predictive models.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remediate: Current approaches for remediating small space debris include designing satellites for controlled deorbiting at the end of their mission and implementing active debris removal missions. But this can pose significant issues in cost and time due to the amount of small space debris in LEO. An ideal solution should offer practical and cost-effective strategies for reducing the overall debris population, mitigating the risk of collisions, and maintaining the sustainability of orbital space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Participants have until Nov. 15, 2023, to submit ideas. For more information about the challenge, visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freelancer.com\/contest\/Detect-Track-and-Remediate-The-Challenge-of-Small-Space-Debris-2307546\/details\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.freelancer.com\/contest\/Detect-Track-and-Remediate-The-Challenge-of-Small-Space-Debris-2307546\/details<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ensemble is hosting the challenge on behalf of NASA. The NASA Tournament Lab, part of the Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing program in the Space Technology Mission Directorate, manages the challenge. The program supports global public competitions and crowdsourcing as tools to advance NASA research and development and other mission needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about opportunities to participate with NASA via prize competitions and challenges at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/solve\">https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/solve<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Decades of space exploration have provided us with invaluable knowledge of Earth, our Solar System, and beyond. But, it has also led to an unintended consequence \u2013 orbital debris. In an effort to clean up space, NASA is seeking solutions from innovators across the globe. The Detect, Track, and Remediate: The Challenge of Small Space […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":226,"featured_media":519928,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[12646,11535,2673,12397,12396,3343,2879],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[10554],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"NASA Seeks Solutions to Detect, Track, Clean Up Small Space Debris","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/stmd-prizes-challenges-crowdsourcing-program\/center-of-excellence-for-collaborative-innovation-coeci\/coeci-news\/nasa-seeks-solutions-to-detect-track-clean-up-small-space-debris\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/stmd-prizes-challenges-crowdsourcing-program\/center-of-excellence-for-collaborative-innovation-coeci\/coeci-news\/nasa-seeks-solutions-to-detect-track-clean-up-small-space-debris\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/detecttrackremediate.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/detecttrackremediate.png"},"articleSection":"NASA Directorates","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Sarah Douglas"}],"creator":["Sarah Douglas"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Directorates","Space Technology Mission Directorate","CoECI News","Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI)","Get Involved","Opportunities For International Participants to Get Involved","Opportunities For U.S. Citizens to Get Involved","Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program"],"dateCreated":"2023-09-25T14:30:14Z","datePublished":"2023-09-25T14:30:14Z","dateModified":"2024-01-11T21:14:44Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"NASA Seeks Solutions to Detect, Track, Clean Up Small Space Debris\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/stmd-prizes-challenges-crowdsourcing-program\/center-of-excellence-for-collaborative-innovation-coeci\/coeci-news\/nasa-seeks-solutions-to-detect-track-clean-up-small-space-debris\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/detecttrackremediate.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2023-09-25T14:30:14Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Directorates\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Directorates,Space Technology Mission Directorate,CoECI News,Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoECI),Get Involved,Opportunities For International Participants to Get Involved,Opportunities For U.S. Citizens to Get Involved,Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Sarah Douglas\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":3,"time_ago":"7 months","featured_image":{"id":519928,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/detecttrackremediate.png","title":"detecttrackremediate","alt":"View of Earth from space with the Sun peaking out slightly from behind the planet. Some space debris is orbiting around Earth.","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/519934"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/226"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=519934"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/519934\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":523809,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/519934\/revisions\/523809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/519928"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=519934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=519934"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=519934"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=519934"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=519934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}