Latest News About Space Junk and Orbital Debris

The amount of trash in Earth orbit, from spent rocket stages, broken satellites and micrometeoroids, is growing. Scientists are working on methods to combat the threat of space junk and orbital debris collisions.

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Incredible Technology: How to Clean Up Dangerous Space Junk

Space Junk Currently Orbiting Earth

September 30th, 2013

The vast amount of manmade debris in orbit around Earth is untenable, but emerging and currently available technologies could be used to get this space junk under control.

'Ferrari of Space' Doomed: Satellite Will Fall from Space in October

GOCE Mission to End in 2013

September 23rd, 2013

The European Space Agency's gravity-mapping GOCE satellite will begin falling from space in mid-October as it runs out of fuel, following a successful four-year mission. The GOCE satellite measured Earth's gravity in unprecedented detail and generated gra

Air Force Study Reveals Threats to US Space Activities

Sixth WGS Satellite Delta IV Rocket Launch

August 29th, 2013

No matter where you look in the air, outer space and within the info-ether of cyberspace, these are congested, contested and competitive environments.

Incredible Technology: How to Clean Up Dangerous Space Junk

Space Junk Currently Orbiting Earth

September 30th, 2013

The vast amount of manmade debris in orbit around Earth is untenable, but emerging and currently available technologies could be used to get this space junk under control.

Europe's GOCE Gravity-Probing Satellite Will Fall to Earth Soon

Launch Postponed for European Gravity Probe

September 12th, 2013

A gravity-mapping European satellite nearing the end of its fuel supply will make an uncontrolled plunge back to Earth, likely in October, AFP reported. Most of the satellite will burn up in the atmosphere, but a quarter of it likely will survive reentry.

US Military's 'Space Fence' Shutdown Will Weaken Orbital Surveillance Network

This computer illustration depicts the density of space junk around Earth in low-Earth orbit.

August 13th, 2013

The U.S. Air Force's decision to shut down a key component of its Space Surveillance Network will weaken the service's ability to accurately detect and characterize objects in Earth orbit, experts say.

China Launches High-Altitude Rocket on Apparent Science Mission: Reports

Known orbit planes of Fengyun-1C debris one month after its 2007 disintegration by a Chinese anti-satellite (ASAT) interceptor. The white orbit represents the International Space Station.

There is no evidence that the launch was an anti-satellite test, experts say.

'Ferrari of Space' Doomed: Satellite Will Fall from Space in October

GOCE Mission to End in 2013

September 23rd, 2013

The European Space Agency's gravity-mapping GOCE satellite will begin falling from space in mid-October as it runs out of fuel, following a successful four-year mission. The GOCE satellite measured Earth's gravity in unprecedented detail and generated gra

Europe's GOCE Gravity-Probing Satellite Will Fall to Earth Soon

Launch Postponed for European Gravity Probe

September 12th, 2013

A gravity-mapping European satellite nearing the end of its fuel supply will make an uncontrolled plunge back to Earth, likely in October, AFP reported. Most of the satellite will burn up in the atmosphere, but a quarter of it likely will survive reentry.

Perseid Meteor Shower: Earth Bombarded by Tons of Meteoroid Dust

2013 Perseid Meteor Over Dayton, Ohio

August 10th, 2013

The comet fragments that cause the stunning Perseid meteor shower represent just a fraction of the interplanetary leftovers that collide with Earth all the time. Scientists trace smaller bits of meteoric dust to learn about the atmosphere.