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
Latest about space junk
SpaceX plan for 1 million orbiting AI data centers could ruin astronomy, scientists say
SpaceX's plan to launch one million orbiting data centers to space worries astronomers, who say the satellite streaks caused by the proposed constellation would severely impair observations.
Incoming! 1,300-pound NASA satellite crashes back to Earth over eastern Pacific Ocean
NASA's Van Allen Probe A crashed to Earth on Wednesday morning (March 11) after nearly 14 years in orbit, according to the space agency. Most of the spacecraft likely burned up in the atmosphere.
Earth orbit is getting crowded. Can this map of 1 million routes around our planet help prevent satellite collisions?
Could we prevent in-orbit crashes in the future by using advanced computer models?
Can current space law handle the new space age?
A new proposal suggests borrowing the "Conference of the Parties" model from climate diplomacy to update space law before orbital congestion and lunar competition escalate.
From space to the seabed, critical infrastructure is becoming more vulnerable, experts warn: 'People don't realize how dependent we are'
"We are on Day 1. A lot more needs to be done."
Earthquake sensors can track space junk that crashes back to Earth
Earthquake sensors can detect sonic booms generated by reentering space debris to help track the potentially dangerous objects in near real time.
Chinese capsule damaged by space-junk strike returns to Earth (video)
The first emergency operation in the history of China's human spaceflight program ended on Jan. 19 when an uncrewed Shenzhou 20 capsule damaged by a space-junk strike came safely down to Earth.
US Space Force awards 1st-of-its-kind $52 million contract to deorbit its satellites
"This contract reflects both the value of affordable servicing missions and the technical readiness of the Otter."
