The boring answer is that LEO self-cleans over a few years, so it’s not really the huge issue everyone thinks it is. Yes, all that space junk is a risk, but it’s low enough that China simply doesn’t care (and won’t until it actually causes a problem).
Various agencies and companies leaving their garbage and shit in LEO genuinely confuse me.
Are they imagining that they will somehow be immune the the issues of Kessler syndrome?
Do they assume someone else will solve that problem for them before it becomes a problem?
Or are they just completely stupid and don’t understand the problem in the first place?
Ask yourself the same question about any type of pollution.
Probably a little of all three. Plus understanding the problem and not caring because by the time it’s a problem, it won’t be their problem.
The boring answer is that LEO self-cleans over a few years, so it’s not really the huge issue everyone thinks it is. Yes, all that space junk is a risk, but it’s low enough that China simply doesn’t care (and won’t until it actually causes a problem).