The European Union announced a new program to help member nations track debris in space. Economic losses due to satellite maneuvering to avoid collisions are expected to double over the next decade. Currently there are estimated to be over 600,000 objects larger than 1 cm, 16,000 of which are over 10 cm. Collision of even a 1 cm object can critically damage a satellite. Removing the debris is extremely cost prohibitive but the new EU project would work to locate and monitor the debris and notify satellite operators to hazards as well as the public in case of a reentry. The EU is stepping forward with a space surveillance and tracking (SST) service because they previously relied on US systems to provide the information but with an increasing amount of debris being produced because of more launches US sources are stretching thin. Aid will largely be in the form of financial support of existing member state resources.
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