What is space waste? In short, evidence of our human footprint left behind in space, caught in the motion of Earth’s orbit. Recently Studio Roosegaarde hosted a “symposium” on space waste to address solutions to cleaning up after ourselves as a species.
Recyclable material within arm’s reach
The topic? Space waste and the possibility of salvaging and repurposing it. Studio Roosegaarde‘s presenter for the evening was artist and innovator, Daan Roosegaarde. The mayor of Almere, Franc Weerwind and European Space Agency (ESA) engineer Michel van Pelt were both in attendance.
Daan Roosegaarde: “We need to look at space in a better way. What is space waste, how can we fix it, and what is its potential? Space waste is the smog of our universe”.
What is the Space Waste Lab?
Space Waste Lab is a collaborative effort between Studio Roosegaarde and the European Space Agency. Their mission statement is ambitious and well meant, to pull floating space waste through the Earth’s atmosphere in an attempt to either dispose of it or repurpose it.
Space Waste Lab defines itself as a “living lab”, in the crosshairs of art and innovation, making leaps in technological freedom to ensure a better, more liveable future. “Schoonheid”, the Dutch word to convey the beauty in cleanliness, the idea that clean space is truly clean living.
Dutch Innovation to make space waste useful
Who would have thought? Of all things that can be innovated, the Dutch have sized up space waste and said: “challenge accepted”. The re-entry of space waste creates a sustainable alternative to traditional fireworks. The greater application dreamed up by Daan and Studio Roosegaarde will explore repurposing space waste as the building blocks for 3D-printed structures to house future space societies.
Incredible, take a look at Studio Roosegaarde’s system in action!
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
