According to a recent NASA study, there are approximately 8,000 metric tons of debris orbiting the earth. These waste materials vary in size from large to microscopic, but all move at such a high speed that they represent potentially mission-ending risk by penetrating everything from spacesuits to fuel tanks, and even the hulls of space shuttles. They are also a threat to scientific and commercial satellites that we increasingly rely on for education, communication, navigation, among many day-to-day necessities. Space sustainability ensures that all humanity can continue to use outer space for exploration and commerce.

Rubicon is the leading software platform for waste, recycling, and sustainability solutions. Rubicon’s mission is to end waste, and they have recently turned their efforts to the growing challenge of tackling space debris with a mind for space sustainability.