每日英語跟讀 Ep.K545: Growing Space Debris Prompts Action from Government and Investors
As the number of commercial satellites launched into orbit increases rapidly, the risk of collisions and hazardous debris also rises. In response, the US government is setting new space hygiene norms, while private companies are investing in ways to tackle the messy orbital environment. Billions of dollars of assets are at stake, including the orbital devices crucial to navigation and communication used by industries and people globally.
隨著商業衛星進入軌道的數量迅速增加，碰撞和危險垃圾的風險也在上升。為此，美國政府正在設定新的太空衛生標準，而私人公司正在投資於解決混亂的軌道環境的方式。涉及數十億美元的資產，包括全球工業和人們使用的導航和通訊關鍵的軌道設備。
U.S. Space Command recently released a report that includes a section on space debris, urging space players to dispose of their defunct satellites safely and notify other operators if any problems with their spacecraft might pose a debris hazard. The report also aims to steer military norms in orbit to prevent potential space weapon attacks that could generate more debris.
美國太空司令部最近發布了一份報告，其中包括有關太空垃圾的部分，敦促太空玩家安全處理其不再使用的衛星，並通知其他運營商，如果他們的航天器存在可能構成垃圾危害的問題。該報告還旨在引導軌道上的軍事規範，以防止潛在的太空武器攻擊可能產生更多的垃圾。
Astroscale, a Tokyo-based company, is testing a debris removal device called ELSA, designed to latch onto defunct satellites and drag them toward Earth's atmosphere for fiery disposal. The company recently closed a $76 million funding round, which included Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa as an investor.
總部位於東京的Astroscale正在測試一種名為ELSA的垃圾清理裝置，旨在鉤住不再使用的衛星並將它們拖向地球大氣層進行火化處理。該公司最近完成了一輪7600萬美元的融資，其中包括日本億萬富翁前澤友作。
Astroscale is one of several companies developing in-space satellite servicing to extend the lifespan of broken or fuel-spent spacecraft. The mission extension concepts have sprouted a patchwork of other companies looking to build on the momentum.
Astroscale是幾家正在開發太空衛星服務以延長損壞或燃料用盡航天器壽命的公司之一。任務擴展概念已經催生了一系列其他公司，希望借此機會發展壯大。
While governments try to tackle international rules, the immediate response to the littering of orbit is coming in large part from the private sector. Industry-specific policies for space behavior similar to the norms proposed by U.S. Space Command are urgently needed before a catastrophic collision occurs that could lead to burdensome regulations.
雖然各國政府試圖解決國際規則問題，但對軌道垃圾的即時響應很大程度上來自私人部門。在發生可能導致繁重法規的災難性碰撞之前，急需制定類似於美國太空司令部提出的針對太空行為的產業特定政策。
Experts say that ensuring a sustainable space domain is essential for the growth of the space economy. Governments and private companies must work together to solve the debris problem and mitigate it to an acceptable level. By doing so, the space domain can grow while keeping the environment sustainable.
專家表示，確保可持續的太空領域對於太空經濟的增長至關重要。政府和私人公司必須攜手解決垃圾問題，並將其降至可接受的水平。這樣做可以實現太空領域的增長，同時保持環境的可持續性。Reference article: https://www.xm.com/tw/research/markets/allNews/reuters/as-space-junk-threat-grows-government-and-investors-seek-solutions-53492700