In July 2024, the European Space Agency’s Space Environment Report highlighted an alarming rise in space debris, revealing over 35,000 objects currently tracked in Earth’s orbit. Of these, 26,000 are non-functional debris, with an estimated 1 million fragments in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) capable of causing devastating collisions. As this challenge grows, CubeSats—small, lightweight satellites weighing around 1kg—emerge as an innovative yet complex solution. While CubeSats offer valuable advantages in space research and applications, their dense clustering and lack of sufficient deorbiting strategies at the end of their operational lives exacerbate the risk of debris accumulation. This underscores the urgent need for sustainable design changes in CubeSat technology to balance their benefits with a cleaner space environment.

CubeSats operate both as standalone units and in multi-unit configurations, providing an affordable and efficient solution for various space missions. Widely used in scientific research, CubeSats gather crucial data on Earth’s magnetic field, contributing to earthquake prediction models. They also serve commercial purposes, such as telecommunications and Earth observation, offering high-resolution imagery for industries like agriculture and urban planning.

The growing popularity of CubeSats is reflected in the increasing number of launches—2396 CubeSats as of now—with more being deployed due to their low development costs and relatively fast production timelines. Their simple design, minimal thermal insulation, and modular structure allow for cost-effective manufacturing and quick adaptability to different mission requirements. CubeSats also serve as testbeds for new technologies before they are deployed in larger, more expensive satellites.

However, CubeSats face significant limitations. Their operational lifespan is typically just 3 to 12 months, requiring frequent replacements and contributing to the growing space debris problem. Most CubeSats are launched into low-Earth orbit, where they are particularly vulnerable to the onset of Kessler syndrome—a scenario where collisions between space debris cause a chain reaction of further fragmentation. Due to their brief lifespan and the absence of effective end-of-life deorbiting strategies, many CubeSats remain in orbit long after their operational duties have ended, worsening the congestion in these already crowded orbits.

A positive step towards sustainable space exploration was made in May 2024, when Pakistan launched its first CubeSat, ICUBE-Qamar. Designed with sustainability in mind, ICUBE-Qamar operates in a controlled, short-duration orbit and is engineered to burn up upon re-entry, ensuring it does not contribute to orbital debris. This approach sets an important example for emerging space programs, proving that scientific advancement can coexist with environmental responsibility in space.

To address the growing issue of CubeSats and space debris, strategic design solutions are needed. One promising approach involves equipping CubeSats with small propulsion systems that allow for collision-avoidance maneuvers during their operational lives. After their mission ends, these thrusters could be activated to slow down the CubeSat, ensuring it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere and burns up, rather than remaining as debris in orbit. Additionally, CubeSats could be equipped with tools to track other objects in orbit, improving collision predictions, and could even be used to help deorbit inactive satellites.

In conclusion, as CubeSats continue to proliferate, their role in contributing to space debris—particularly in low-Earth orbit—demands urgent attention. A balanced approach is required, one that fully harnesses the benefits of CubeSat technology while also ensuring a sustainable and safe orbital environment. The space community must prioritize sustainable practices, such as mandatory propulsion for deorbiting and enhanced collision-avoidance systems. Timely action is essential before the situation becomes irreparable.