Addressing the Growing Challenge of Space Debris with AI-Based Robotic Recycling Solutions

Space debris, also known as space junk, refers to human-made objects in orbit that are no longer functional, including defunct satellites, spent rocket bodies, and residual fragments from collisions or disintegration events. The volume of space debris is a growing concern for both operational satellites and future space missions, as it poses significant risks of collision and exacerbates the problem of even more debris generation through the Kessler Syndrome, where collisions lead to an exponential increase in debris particles. Estimates suggest there are over 500,000 pieces of debris larger than a marble in Earth's orbit, alongside millions of smaller fragments.