On November 9, 2024, NanoAvionics reported that its MP42 satellite, launched in 2022, sustained damage from an unidentified small object traveling at high speeds in Earth's orbit. The satellite, designed to accommodate various instruments for different clients, was punctured by a hole caused by a chickpea-sized object.
The origin of the object remains unclear, but this incident emphasizes the increasing risks posed to spacecraft by both natural micrometeoroids and human-created space debris. NanoAvionics stated, 'Whether this impact was from a micrometeoroid or a piece of space debris, the collision highlights the need for responsible space operations in orbit.'
The company has joined the European Space Agency's Zero Debris Charter, which aims to significantly reduce new space debris creation by 2030. The impact on the MP42 did not contribute to the debris problem, but it resulted in a hole in one of the satellite's solar panels.
According to NanoAvionics, a collision with a 1 cm particle traveling at 10 km/s can release energy equivalent to a small car crashing at 40 km/h. This statistic underscores the potential dangers of space debris, with millions of particles currently in low Earth orbit, a region described by NASA as an 'orbital space junk yard.'
Responsible operations include ensuring defunct spacecraft self-dispose in Earth's atmosphere, designing satellites that do not release debris, and monitoring for potential collisions. The increasing prevalence of unregulated orbital debris poses a significant challenge for future space missions.