Why you can’t see space junk in Artemis II photos
The Artemis II astronauts completed their historic lunar flyby and took photos to prove it. But as skywatchers continue to enjoy images of the Moon and Earth, a question is circulating online: If there is such a problem with space debris orbiting our home planet, then why isn’t it visible in any of the most recent photos?
This may seem strange, but it is somewhat understandable. After all, many astronomers and researchers continue to sound the alarm about the exponential amount of trash surrounding Earth at any given time. Without any concrete solutions, there is growing concern about the possibility of triggering a “Kessler cascade.” In such a scenario, the amount of space debris becomes so pervasive that collisions are inevitable. Debris traveling at more than 17,500 miles per hour collides with each other, creating even smaller pieces of trash that then increase the likelihood of similar events. All that resulting orbital junk could make it extremely difficult to launch new satellites into space, send astronauts on missions, and even protect Earth’s terrestrial inhabitants.
If all this pollution is so concerning and widespread, how did the Artemis II crew not document examples to report back home? Technically, there is a light possibility that astronauts could take a perfect photo highlighting the fragility of low Earth orbit. But if we consider logistics, the probability of obtaining such an image is extremely low. The vast majority of space debris is not perceptible to the naked eye, especially at the speeds of debris and astronaut travel. In addition to the millions of objects one centimeter or larger in size orbiting Earth, about 130 million small pieces of junk from satellites and rockets surround the planet.
[Related: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch isn’t just a floating trash pile]
Altitude varies on a case-by-case basis, but NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office estimates that the greatest concentration of space debris floats between 466 and 621 miles above Earth. Simply put, the Artemis II astronauts were too busy focusing on the first few minutes of their launch to take photos outside the Orion capsule’s windows. Within seconds, it became nearly impossible to take photos of visible orbital debris, let alone entire satellites. Imagine taking a photo of a rock on the highway, even from 10 miles away. It would be so difficult, and that’s before flying a historic space mission.
That’s not to say that Artemis II hasn’t already had first-hand experience with space junk. The International Space Station often collides with tiny debris, but the design of the habitable capsules ensures they can withstand impacts from objects up to a centimeter in diameter. The Orbital Debris Program Office also rates encounters with anything larger as “mild” at best.
The bottom line is this: space is incomprehensibly vast, but even the dimensions of the Earth are difficult to imagine. There is still one plot room for maneuver for Artemis II and future NASA astronaut crews, including using precise computer models and orbital tracking technology. Space debris is a serious problem, but it’s not something to worry about the safety of the crew, let alone doubt humanity’s final voyage around the Moon.
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