Skyrora CEO Volodymyr Levykin Offers a Solution to Combat Space Debris Problem

Volodymyr Levykin, Skyrora CEO, highlights the urgency of cleaning up space debris to prevent a disaster. After an uncontrolled descent of the Chinese rocket, Long March 5b, the issue has become even more pressing. More importantly, Volodymyr Levykin does have an actionable solution for fighting the space junk issue.

Skyrora Solution to Fighting Space Debris

Skyrora is one of the UK’s leading aerospace companies, so it is not surprising that its head has a practical, functional solution to address the space junk issue. The company proposes to develop a space tug — an orbital transfer vehicle that would clean up space debris.

Skyrora’s space tug will be able to both de-orbit space debris and transfer it to a disposal orbit. This spacecraft will reignite its engine to perform complex manoeuvres in space. Skyrora plans to use its rocket’s third stage to clean up space debris after launching their clients’ payloads into required orbits. Volodymyr Levykin adds that the space tug will complete several missions with each launch. Eventually, the company hopes to create a series of orbital space tug missions that would help combat the space junk problem.

Just How Much Space Junk Is Out There?

On top of the already operational satellites, there are 3,000 defunct satellites. Furthermore, there are 34,000 objects over 10 cm in size in our planet’s orbit. Their speed of 10km per second poses a serious danger to an operational spacecraft and even the International Space Station. Volodymyr Levykin specifically emphasises that space junk can lead to severe damage to a currently functional spacecraft, which, in turn, could result in the interruption of crucial services. What’s even worse, is that this space junk seriously endangers the astronauts’ lives.

Given the company’s solid reputation in rocket building, the fact that Skyrora takes on the space debris issue inspires hope for the future of our planet and its orbit.