Experts warned Wednesday that a disaster could occur, possibly threatening craft such as the space shuttle, if nothing is done to clean up huge amounts of space debris floating around the globe. At a UN conference on the use of space, the experts said the risk of orbital collision at the moment was tolerable, but insisted action must be taken to avoid it growing out of control. That is no longer valid. You face the risk.
Most people accept that risk.
The probability that the next space shuttle will return home intact is fairly high. Various methods of dealing with space garbage are under discussion and development. One such could involve a giant laser sent into orbit which could evaporate smaller debris, while another possibility would be a giant device which could magnetically attract small pieces of rubbish. Other options include strengthened shielding on space craft at risk, and moving redundant satellites and other space equipment into higher orbits, out of the danger of collision, once they have finished their active life. Speaking under condition of anonymity, he said this approach was facing particular opposition from the United States.