The Space Roomba

This episode we take on a future where space junk has gotten so bad, that active spacecraft are constantly having to maneuver around it, which wastes fuel and cuts down on operation time. And humans decide to finally do something about it. But what?Guests:Loren Grush, science reporter at The VergeLisa Ruth Rand, historian of science technology and the environment.Tiago Soares, systems engineer for ESA’s Clean Space programAndrew Wolahan, systems engineer for ESA’s e.deorbit programAlice Gorman, space archaeologist at Flinders University Jill Stuart, space policy & law expert at the London School of EconomicsFurther Reading:Tracking Space JunkHow can humans clean up our space junk?The Space Junk Problem is About to get a Whole Lots GnarlierOrbital Decay: Space Junk and the Environmental History of Earth’s Planetary BorderlandsThe Forgotten Cold War Plan That Put A Ring Of Copper Around The EarthProject West Ford, NASA RepositoryJapanese mission to clear up space junk ends in failureThis is what happens when a tiny piece of flying space debris hits the ISSESA EnvisatESA Clean SpaceESA e.deorbitSpace Age ArchaeologyWhat is Space Archaeology?The Outer Space Treaty has been remarkably successful – but is it fit for the modern age?Flash Forward is produced by me, Rose Eveleth. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The space dispatcher from the top of the episode was played by Andrew Hackard. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. If you want to suggest a future we should take on, send us a note on Twitter, Facebook or by email at [email protected]. And if you think you’ve spotted one of the little references I’ve hidden in the episode, email us there too. If you’re right, I’ll send you something cool. And if you want to support the show, there are a few ways you can do that too! Head to www.flashforwardpod.com/support for more about how to give. But if that’s not in the cards for you, you can head to iTunes and leave us a nice review or just tell your friends about us. Those things really do help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices