Latest News About Space Junk and Orbital Debris

Latest about space junk

A large piece of round metal stands next to a tall man in a wooded area. Onlookers look from a distance.
Space debris crash in Kenya village believed to be from leftover rocket hardware

By Leonard David Published

Kenya Space Agency officials report a large, “red-hot” metallic ring roughly 8 feet (2.5 meters) in diameter fell from the sky, crashing into Mukuku village.

Satellites
A piece of Chinese satellite space junk breaks apart in the night sky as a fireball in this video still image captured by Luke Matheson in Rison, Arkansas on Dec. 21, 2024.
See a dead Chinese satellite burn up as a brilliant fireball in the night sky (video)

By Tariq Malik Published

The satellite was one of China's first-ever commercial Earth imaging satellites. RIP, SuperView 1-02.

Stargazing
Artist's illustration of space junk orbiting Earth.
'Tragedy of the commons' in space: We need to act now to prevent an orbital debris crisis, scientists say

By Mike Wall Published

Humanity needs to address the growing space junk problem now, before it gets completely out of hand, scientists stress.

Satellites
A bright streak tears across the night sky as a burning fireball and tail. A palm tree stands from the bottom center.
Seismometers track atmospheric shock waves from incoming space debris

By Farah Aziz Annesha Published

Seismometers Track Atmospheric Shock Waves from Incoming Space Debris

Space Exploration
This mosaic depicts the International Space Station pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a fly around of the orbiting lab that took place following its undocking from the Harmony module’s space-facing port on Nov. 8, 2021.
Will the International Space Station's 2031 death dive cause pollution problems?

By Leonard David Published

The International Space Station will be steered to a controlled destruction in Earth's atmosphere in 2031, if all goes to plan. Should we be worried about the pollution this death dive will cause?

International Space Station
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.

Launches & Spacecraft
view of the international space station through the window of a departing spacecraft
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
the international space station as photographed while looking down at Earth
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.

International Space Station
The world's first wooden satellite, LignoSat, developed by scientists at Kyoto University and logging company Sumitomo Forestry, is shown during a press conference at Kyoto University in Kyoto on May 28, 2024.
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.

Satellites
Starlink satellites before deployment.
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.

Satellites
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