SPACE WASTE LAB is the living lab which is supported by space experts such as ESA (European Space Agency), students, visitors, and the team of Studio Roosegaarde.
Phase 1 starts with a unique large outdoor SPACE WASTE LAB PERFORMANCE of LEDs and real-time tracking information to visualise space waste above your head on an altitude of 200 to 20.000 kilometers. There is currently 8.1 million kilo of space waste. Special designed software and camera technology developed in the last year enables the SPACE WASTE LAB PERFORMANCE to work, in compliance with strict safety and aviation regulations. To enhance the experience of the SPACE WASTE LAB PERFORMANCE the surrounding environment is darkened by shutting down streetlights and commercial signs.
The indoor exhibition consists of a real piece of space waste accompanied by an education programme with space experts and amateurs to create a new perspective on space waste. More than 2000 high school students have applied already.
Phase 2 is a multi-year program to capture space waste and upcycle it into sustainable products.
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."
ESA Director Franco Ongaro about SPACE WASTE LAB: “I’m a strong believer in cooperation between technologists and artists. We believe in what we do as a service to society, but we are often unable to communicate its worth effectively enough. Artists not only communicate vision and feelings to the public, but help us discover aspects of our work which we are often unable to perceive. This cooperation is all the more important when dealing with issues like space debris, which may one day impact our future, and our ability to draw maximum benefits from space. We need to speak in different ways, to convey not just the dry technological aspects aspect of technology, but the emotions involved in the struggle to preserve this environment for future generations.”
SPACE WASTE LAB is a part of Roosegaarde's larger vision for Schoonheid, a Dutch word meaning both beauty and cleanliness, as in clean space, clean air, clean water, clean energy. Schoonheid is an activator for change, for citizens, makers, NGOs and governments to value and empower Schoonheid as a creative force to make clean environments.
