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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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Don't even think about trying to collect or sell pieces of NASA's falling UARS satellite.
Get a snapshot view of NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), which will fall to Earth in 2011, in this SPACE.com infographic.
Those worried about the falling satellite headed toward Earth can monitor its location with an Android app.
SPACE.com talks to an orbital debris expert about the falling UARS satellite and the problem of junk in space.
North America is safe from the uncontrolled fall of NASA's UARS satellite, officials say.
A rundown of some of the biggest spacecraft to smash into Earth beyond their operators' control.
The October Draconid meteor shower could be damaging to spacecraft and satellites.
Scientists won't be able to determine where pieces of the UARS satellite will fall until two hours before impact.
NASA's falling UARS satellite could offer a unique skywatching opportunity for anyone lucky enough to see it.
You're about a million times more likely to get struck by lightning than a falling satellite, rocket stage, or other space debris.
Updated animated analysis of the break up of the the 6 ton, bus-sized UARS satellite. It likely will burn up at an altitude between 80-45 kilometers, with an estimated 26 pieces of debris re-entering our atmosphere for land fall or splash down.
French astrophotographer Thierry Legault recorded a video of the tumbling NASA UARS satellite falling to Earth.
Using a 14 inch telescope in Northern France, amateur astronomer Thierry Legault was able to capture the UARS satellite while still on-orbit, a few days prior to its fateful meeting with the Earth's atmosphere.
SPACE.com's Clara Moskowitz talks to CNN about the doomed UARS satellite which is currently on course for burn up and re-entry on September 23. Estimates show a 1/3200 chance for human casualty.
This animation shows the orbit that the doomed satellite is on and the corresponding 2-D ground track. It illustrates where on Earth debris could fall - which is practically all inhabited areas - when it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere.
The risk of injury from falling space debris is very remote, according to NASA.
A list of frequently asked questions about space debris and falling space junk.
NASA first mission dedicated entirely to understanding the chemistry and dynamics of the ozone layer was placed in orbit by Space Shuttle Discovery in 1991. UARS helped climate researchers understand the Earth's upper atmosphere.
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