ESA BR-338 Detecting Space Hazards

Space is the source of a variety of hazards that can affect satellites in orbit and infrastructure on Earth. There are three main threats: collisions between space debris and satellites; ‘space weather’ generated by the Sun; and potential strikes by natural objects, such as asteroids, that cross Earth’s path. ESA’s Space Situational Awareness programme aims to develop a European system that can inform us about the threats and risks we may expect from space, helping us develop safer, better ways of exploring and exploiting space in a sustainable way. Read online

This brochure discusses the hazards and the systems already in place and under development for responding to them.