Phobos-Grunt returns to Earth

It has been reported that the remnants of Russia’s Phobos-Grunt probe have fallen in to the Pacific Ocean.  The probe was set to explore Phobos, one of the two moons of Mars, and return to Earth with samples from its surface.  Instead, the satellite malfunctioned after launch and became unable to leave Earth’s orbit.

 

The Phobos-Grunt probe is not the first satellite that has malfunctioned after launch, but not all dead satellites remove themselves from orbit.  Satellites that are lost from contact may also become space debris – or space junk – after becoming stuck in Earth’s orbit.  This issue becomes magnified when objects collide or are destroyed in space, as small fragments of space debris are able to cause damage to satellites in orbit.

 

Space debris is an increasing threat to space services including satellite communication; position, navigation and timing applications; and Earth observation. This is why Australia will continue to support rules-based international access to the space environment; promoting peaceful, safe and responsible activities in space (see our Principles for a National Space Industry Policy, [PDF, 361 KB]).  We are contributing to space situational awareness to monitor and predict events such as collisions between satellites or with space debris, and we are continuing to support and contribute to the efforts of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space which recognises the concern of space debris to all nations.

 

Space services do not only contribute to our ability to understand, monitor and manage our natural resources – space is a natural resource of its own.  While the Phobos-Grunt mission did not complete its scientific aims, we should recognise the importance of its safe return to Earth.​