Concepts
Kessler Syndrome
Also Known As Kessler Effect
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A theorized runaway process in low Earth orbit in which the density of artificial debris and satellites becomes high enough that collisions between objects generate more debris, increasing the collision rate in a self sustaining cascade. First articulated in 1978 by NASA scientists Donald Kessler and Burton Cour-Palais, it underlies current concern about orbital debris management and mitigation policy.
Facts
Concept Domain Formulated Year Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
Orbital debris cascading is a hazard studied within orbital mechanics and spaceflight operations.
Sources
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationKessler syndrome, lead paragraph sectionQuote, Kessler syndrome, lead paragraph section
describes a situation in which the density of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) becomes so high due to space pollution that collisions between these objects cascade
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationKessler syndrome, History sectionQuote, Kessler syndrome, History section
In June 1978, Kessler and Burton Cour-Palais co-authored 'Collision Frequency of
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationKessler syndrome, History, NORAD Gabbard and Kessler sectionQuote, Kessler syndrome, History, NORAD Gabbard and Kessler section
In June 1978, Kessler and Burton Cour-Palais co-authored 'Collision Frequency of Artificial Satellites: The Creation of a Debris Belt'
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationKessler syndrome, Wikipedia - lead sectionQuote, Kessler syndrome, Wikipedia - lead section
The Kessler syndrome, also known as the Kessler effect, collisional cascading, o
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Orbital Mechanics
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Kessler syndrome already happened?
Not fully, but real collisions and debris-generating events show the risk is not hypothetical.
Not in the full runaway sense Donald Kessler described in 1978, but low Earth orbit has already seen cascading collision events that illustrate the risk: the accidental 2009 collision between the active Iridium 33 satellite and the defunct Cosmos 2251, and China's 2007 anti-satellite weapon test against its own Fengyun-1C satellite, both created large, long-lived debris fields. Orbital debris density in some altitude bands is rising, and mission planners now treat collision avoidance and debris mitigation as standard practice.
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