The
Challenges In Space
Every surface is under attack.
In space, small problems become catastrophic.
Our Services
We fight for clean oceans and air—but space is a junkyard, and its debris is slowly threatening life on Earth.
Over 1.3 million pieces of debris orbit Earth today—and more than 130 million remain untracked, threatening every mission.
COLLISION CASCADE
In just 3.8 days, there is a 50/50 probability of a catastrophic collision in orbit.
A single satellite can break into thousands of fragments.
Each fragment can collide with others, triggering a chain reaction known as Kessler Syndrome, where one collision leads to many more.
Two events (2007 & 2009) created 33% of all tracked space debris.
RE-ENTRY POLLUTION
The only current solution is to let broken satellites burn up on re-entry.
But when they do, they release toxic metals like lithium—polluting the atmosphere, damaging the ozone layer, and threatening human health.
We aren’t cleaning up space—we are using our atmosphere as a trash incinerator.
The environment itself is just as dangerous as the debris.
Threats
Why Existing Systems Aren't Enough
Most spacecraft surfaces today are passive, designed to withstand damage rather than respond to it. Protection, sensing, and power are handled by separate, disconnected systems, adding extra mass and complexity to the spacecraft. Because these systems don’t work together, spacecraft can’t react in real time, allowing small surface issues to grow into mission-threatening failures.
For example, Whipple shields, which are used to vaporize debris, add significant weight, increase volume by up to 30%, and can cost around 10% of an entire mission. Once damaged, they cannot recover—leaving sections permanently compromised.
Why This Matters
In space, repairs aren’t an option. Once satellites fail, they cannot be repaired. Small cracks become mission-ending failures. In fact, between 2009 and 2016, 42.6% of small-satellite missions failed. Every launch represents years of work, billions of dollars, and irreplaceable scientific opportunity. As missions become longer, farther, and more ambitious, surviving is no longer enough. Spacecraft need surfaces that can sense change, respond instantly, and adapt as conditions change.