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.
Related Topics: International Space Station, Incredible Space Tech, Military Space, NASA
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Latest about space junk
14 of the biggest spacecraft ever to fall from space
By Mike Wall last updated
A rundown of some of the biggest spacecraft to smash into Earth beyond their operators' control.
International Space Station dodges 2nd piece of space junk in 6 days
By Mike Wall published
A Russian Progress freighter docked to the ISS fired its thrusters Monday (Nov. 25) to dodge a piece of debris, the second such evasive maneuver for the orbiting lab in less than a week.
International Space Station fires thrusters to dodge hunk of space debris
By Mike Wall published
A Russian cargo ship docked to the International Space Station fired its thrusters on Tuesday (Nov. 19) to ensure that the orbiting complex dodged a piece of space debris.
World's 1st wooden satellite arrives at ISS for key orbital test
By Mike Wall published
LignoSat could help change the way we build satellites.
Astronomers urge FCC to halt satellite megaconstellation launches
By Tereza Pultarova published
Over 100 astronomers from leading U.S. universities have signed an open letter calling for an assessment of potential impacts of satellite megaconstellations on Earth's environment.
Can we solve the satellite air pollution problem? Here are 4 possible fixes
By Tereza Pultarova published
New technologies including recoverable satellites and in-orbit space debris recycling could help solve the satellite air pollution problem and prevent a new ecological crisis in the future.
Debris from satellite breakup threatens other spacecraft, animation shows
By Tereza Pultarova published
Debris from the broken-apart Intelsat 33e telecom satellite is spreading across geosynchronous orbit, threatening spacecraft in this precious region of space, an animation shows.
Fighting space junk: More than 100 partners sign Europe's 'Zero Debris Charter'
By Andrew Jones published
More than 100 partners have signed Europe's Zero Debris Charter, a push to help get Earth's space junk problem under control.
How much do SpaceX's reentering Starlink satellites pollute Earth's atmosphere?
By Tereza Pultarova published
SpaceX's Starlink satellites now make up 40% of reentering satellite debris. But is Elon Musk's space company the worst polluter of Earth's upper atmosphere?
The moon, Mars and space junk: World space agency heads outline grand plans, but also concerns
By Andrew Jones published
Leaders of major space agencies stated grand plans for the near future at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, while noting concerns regarding Earth and the space environment.
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