Latest News About Space Junk and Orbital Debris

U.S. and Australia Join Forces to Track Space Junk
This graphic depicts the trackable objects, satellites and space junk, in orbit around Earth. (Image credit: ESA)

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.

Related Topics: International Space Station, Incredible Space Tech, Military Space, NASA

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Latest about space junk

Illustration of a space plane in orbit over earth, with the sun in the background

Space Force's mysterious X-37B space plane to attempt new 'aerobraking' maneuvers in orbit

By Andrew Jones published

The U.S. military's X-37B space plane is about to begin a series of novel maneuvers, according to a rare official update on the spacecraft.

Tech
A piece of space debris streaks with flame as it burns up in the atmosphere.

Europe will launch a satellite in 2027 just to watch it burn

By Andrew Jones published

The European Space Agency plans to launch a satellite called DRACO in 2027, then study how it breaks up during its fiery reentry into Earth's atmosphere.

Satellites
Side by side squares with L shaped rulers show holes in the center from an impact. Front and rear view of a tested space debris shield.

New type of Kevlar heading to ISS in October for space debris protection tests

By Tereza Pultarova published

Next-generation space debris protection material is being readied for a test trip to the International Space Station, to see how it holds up in the final frontier.

Tech
a bright fuzzy low horrizon like a spattering of clouds, a blank black skly with a singular shining point, and what looks like rings crossing on the upper left.

Hot 'Salsa:' European satellite burns up in landmark controlled reentry (photo)

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

The European Space Agency's Salsa satellite safely deorbited on Sunday (Sept. 8) over a hand-picked region of the South Pacific Ocean.

Satellites
An old rocket body tumbles in space above Earth as seen from Japan's Astroscale ADRAS-J satellite.

Japanese company to deorbit big hunk of space junk by 2029

By Tereza Pultarova published

Japanese space-sustainability company Astroscale just signed a $90 million contract to take a bus-sized rocket stage out of orbit by the end of the decade.

Satellites
photo showing several bright objects outlined by red boxes, standing out against a starry black sky

Chinese rocket breaks apart after megaconstellation launch, creating cloud of space junk

By Mike Wall published

A Chinese Long March 6A rocket broke apart shortly after launching 18 internet satellites on Aug. 7, creating a cloud of at least 300 pieces of trackable debris.

Launches & Spacecraft
screenshot from the video game "space protector," showing a satellite orbiting earth

Test your space debris catching skills in new game released by Astroscale

By Tereza Pultarova published

Space sustainability company Astroscale has launched a free computer game that allows players to test their space debris catching skills in a simulation based on the company's real mission.

Entertainment
Two cube-shaped satellites rendezvous is black space. A visualization of the ELSA-M space junk collector and its target, a satellite from the OneWeb megaconstellation.

Astroscale's space debris removal demo mission funded for 2026 launch

By Tereza Pultarova published

Astroscale's ELSA-M demo space junk collector will remove a defunct OneWeb satellite from orbit in 2027.

Satellites
illustration of debris in orbit around Earth

Space is becoming an 'unsustainable environment in the long term,' ESA says

By Jackson Ryan published

"Overall, the report is full of bad news that is good news."

Satellites
The astronauts of China's Shenzhou 18 mission simulate a debris-strike emergency aboard the Tiangong space station in July 2024.

Chinese astronauts simulate a debris-strike emergency on the Tiangong space station (video)

By Andrew Jones published

China's Shenzhou 18 mission staged an emergency drill recently to boost preparedness aboard the country's Tiangong space station.

Human Spaceflight
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