Space Pollution: Trouble in the Heavens

by Diane Wilson

For those of us who would prefer to forget Kyoto and global warming and the many forms of pollution that most people agree are problematic, we now have something else to keep us up at night -- space pollution.

According to the The New York Times , two communication satellites -- an operational American satellite and a Russian satellite -- collided 490 miles above northern Siberia. There is now concern that orbital debris could affect the International Space Station.

Weighing in at about 1,200 pounds -- the size of a fully grown cow, and measuring more than 12 feet long or the height of a mature elephant -- the American satellite was one of a group of 66 spacecraft.

According to Nicholas Johnson, chief scientist for orbital debris at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, it will take time to find out how much damage was done, and whether the debris could threaten the space station and its astronauts. He noted that the risk to the station is small, because you can dodge the large objects whipping through the universe. Apparently, it's the smaller objects that you cannot see -- think industrial pollution here on earth -- that can cause the most damage.

Which brings us to our risk for more of this in space, given our penchant for communication devices. For that matter, were I to understand physics, would it be possible to track all of the waves and rays and other stuff emitted by all of the machines we now engage? I remember being told years ago not to stand to close to my microwave. I stand three feet away, and then go near it as it beeps the friendly message: "Enjoy your meal." There are all the conflicting stories about mobile phone use and the brain. And now collosal pollution in the heavens. We have created such a superb technological society that my microwave is about to change its message: "Last laugh's on you."