Earth’s geosynchronous orbit (GEO) holds some of the most valuable satellites that carry out tasks for phones, television, and radio, as well as weather and environmental monitoring. As new research points out, these precious devices may be under threat from tiny pieces of space junk that have gone previously undetected until now. A team of astronomers from the University of Warwick found faint fragments of space debris in geosynchronous orbit, which are at risk of colliding with satellites flying over Earth’s equator. The tiny fragments, measuring at only 2 inches (5 centimeters) big, have never been observed before. A closer look Satellites in geosynchronous orbit fly in sync with Earth’s rotation on its axis. The satellites are at a high altitude of approximately 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth’s equator, which allows them to keep pace with our planet.
Geosynchronous orbit is generally reserved for communication, weather monitoring, and navigation satellites. Due to their high altitude, GEO space junk is particularly hard to detect, and much of it has remained largely invisible. In a new study published in the Journal of Astronautical Sciences, astronomers reexamined an archival dataset from a previous survey of debris in geosynchronous orbit using the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) in La Palma, Canary Islands. By processing the images using newly developed algorithms, the team behind the study found 25 previously missed debris tracks.
