Monitoring the Mess of Near-Earth Space

Guest Speaker

Thursday, 13th August 2026 (19:45 - 22:00)

Venue: Hybrid

Satellites are essential for our everyday lives, but with thousands of them launching every year, the near-Earth environment is becoming increasingly crowded. What's more, there already exists a large population of orbital debris, predominantly comprising fragments from explosions and collisions that are often too small or faint to monitor. What tools and techniques can we use to keep track of the mess? How do we curtail the generation of debris and avoid future collisions? What are the impacts of the growing satellite population on astronomy and how can we mitigate them? We'll explore these complex topics and consider how the satellite industry can evolve to ensure a sustainable future for space exploitation.

Join online if you can't meet us at the meeting room HERE

Speaker: James Blake

Dr James Blake is a Research Fellow in the Centre for Space Domain Awareness at the University of Warwick. His research focuses on the detection, tracking, and characterisation of satellites and orbital debris. Since its inception in 2019, he has helped to manage the Global Network on Sustainability in Space, which brings together experts in academia, industry, and government to tackle the challenges associated with space debris and traffic management.