Is Space ready for Ride-sharing Cubesats? Orbital Debris & SpaceX's Transporter-1 | The Balance TIS#231

In this week's episode we discuss the success of the record breaking launch of Transporter-1 by SpaceX that successfully deployed 143 satellites into orbit in the same launch. We also share some stats on this mission to give it some more context

Then we discuss the Balance of the space industry and ask whether or not Space is ready for all these emerging launches of cubesats & satellites, considering last year was a record year for satellite launches. Don't we already have too much orbital debris around Earth? Isn't there too much risk already?

I share some research on that topic, a brief history of space progress since the 1970's, and my thoughts on why we need to focus on the problem at hand and not get overwhelmed by our emotions. Which of course, is a good chance for me to compare this orbital problem to my first dentist appointment since I quit smoking cigarettes.

Be well! Good luck SpaceX Starship team on getting SN9 hopping down in Boca Chica, Texas!

https://web.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-031212-121649/unrestricted/Mechanical,_Power,_and_Thermal_Subsystem_Design_for_a_CubeSat.pdf

https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/08/spacex-enters-competition-for-smallsat-launch-contracts-with-a-low-low-price/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.floridatoday.com/amp/6693097002

https://www.celestis.com/launch-schedule/horizon-flight/

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/mars-cube-one/in-depth/

https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/01/24/spacex-launches-record-setting-rideshare-mission-with-143-small-satellites/