Patches of the moon could soon become dumping grounds for old spacecraft. As more satellites are sent to the moon, researchers warn we may soon have to deal with their remains. Over the next 20 years, space agencies and private companies plan to build bases, conduct mining operations, and set up scientific instruments on the lunar surface.
Right now, satellites are circling the moon in preparation for these ventures, serving roles in navigation and communication. However, when these machines run out of juice, operators have limited options. Often, they will have to crash the satellites into the lunar surface, creating what Dr. Fionagh Thomson from the University of Durham calls a “rubbish site.”
But why should we care? Each crash can scatter debris and produce strong vibrations. Scientists worry this could harm future lunar missions, especially those aiming to study vital sites like the locations of the first moon landings.
Professor Ian Crawford from Birkbeck, University of London, suggests the risk might not seem immediate, given the moon’s vast surface. However, as lunar activity ramps up, so does the chance of collisions in culturally significant areas. “We need a plan going forward,” he emphasizes.
Unlike Earth, where defunct satellites typically burn up in the atmosphere, the moon has no atmosphere to assist in disposal. This makes addressing the issue of old satellites more complicated. Currently, there are over 400 planned moon missions, including NASA’s Lunar Gateway and new bases from China and Russia.
One example of how we’re thinking ahead is the European Space Agency’s Lunar Pathfinder satellite, which launches next year. This will test out technology for a constellation of lunar satellites to come by 2030. After its mission, a disposal plan must be in place.
Experts have outlined a few options for dealing with defunct lunar satellites. One is to send them into a solar orbit, but this approach is expensive. Alternatively, they can shift to a remote lunar orbit, but the moon’s irregular gravity makes this tricky. The final option is a controlled crash landing—this requires careful planning and designated impact zones.
Sarah Boyall from the UK Space Agency mentions that collaboration is ongoing through groups like the UN’s Action Team on Lunar Activities to establish best practices for satellite disposal. They are considering designated “graveyard zones” on the moon to avoid scattering debris across sensitive areas.
Ben Hooper, a senior project manager at SSTL, affirms, “Establishing graveyard zones on the moon is the most practical solution.” This would limit human artifacts in untouched areas, preserving them for future exploration.
When satellites do crash, they could even provide useful data. John Zarnecki, a space science expert, points out that impacts can create seismic waves that reveal details about the moon’s structure—a win for science amidst a trash problem.
In summary, with increasing lunar activity, it’s important to think about how we deal with the remnants of our past ventures. Planning now could preserve the moon for future exploration and research.
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