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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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