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Space Junk

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 Updates

sso-a mission art

Cluttering the Space Commons? Upcoming SpaceX Launch Irks Orbital Debris Experts

By Leonard David

Space-junk experts are raising a red flag about the upcoming launch of more than 60 small satellites atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

RemoveDebris mission

At Small Satellite Conference, Frustration About Lagging Efforts to Deal With Space Junk

By Sandra Erwin

A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched the company's first commercial mission, nicknamed "It's Business Time," on Nov. 10, 2018 (Nov. 11 New Zealand Time) from a launch pad on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand.

Rocket Lab's 1st Commercial Launch in Pictures: 'It's Business Time'!

By Tariq Malik

Rocket Lab Launches Business Time

It's Business Time! Rocket Lab Lofts 6 Satellites on 1st Commercial Launch

By Mike Wall

Spaceflight startup Rocket Lab launched its first operational mission Saturday night, successfully lofting six small satellites as well as a technology demonstrator.

Astroscale's ELSA-d spacecraft

Orbital Debris Removal Company Astroscale Raises $50 Million

By Jeff Foust

Astroscale, a company developing technologies to capture and deorbit space debris, announced Oct. 31 it raised a $50 million Series D round that brings its total to date to $102 million.

What would you do if you saw this thing in your walnut orchard?

This Hunk of Metal Fell From Space and Landed in California

By Rafi Letzter

Iridium 70 fell out of orbit Oct. 10. A few days later, one of its fuel tanks caused a stir in central California.

RemoveDebris spacecraft net

Watch a Satellite Net a Cubesat in Awesome Space Junk Cleanup Test

By Tereza Pultarova

A satellite in space has fired a net at a target to test active space-junk-cleanup technology, and the video is amazing.

Soyuz MS-09 at Space Station

Space Station Leak All Patched Up Now, NASA Says

By Mike Wall

The repair job astronauts conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) yesterday (Aug. 30) appears to be complete.

international space station

Did a Micrometeoroid Poke a Hole in the Space Station?

By Meghan Bartels

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station spent part of their day today (Aug. 30) fixing a tiny air leak in the facility.

Here’s How Astronauts Are Patching an Air Leak on Space Station

Astronauts Work to Seal Air Leak on Space Station. Here's How.

By Hanneke Weitering

esa cryosat

Europe's Ice-Watching Satellite Dodges Space Junk in Orbit

By Meghan Bartels

Rocket Lab's Electron Booster on the Pad

Technical Glitch Again Delays 1st Commercial Launch of Rocket Lab's Electron Booster

By Mike Wall

Rocket Lab's Electron small-satellite launcher will have to wait a bit longer to take to the skies on its first commercial flight.

Space Traffic Management hearing

NASA, Defense Department Support Giving Space Traffic Management Role to Commerce

By Jeff Foust

An artist's illustration of the RemoveDebris space junk cleanup prototype deploying its drag sail in orbit. The microsatellite was deployed from the International Space Station on June 20, 2018.

1st Satellite Built to Harpoon Space Junk for Disposal Begins Test Flight

By Tereza Pultarova

Growing in orbital debris, as well as plans for "megaconstellations" of thousands of satellites, helped provide the impetus for a new national space traffic management policy to be signed June 18, 2018.

President Trump to Sign Space Traffic Management Policy

By Jeff Foust

President Trump will sign a new space policy directive June 18 addressing space traffic management issues.

russia space lasers

Russia Wants to Blast Space Junk with Laser Cannon

By Mindy Weisberger

Russia's space agency is developing a novel method for dealing with space junk: vaporizing it with lasers.

SpaceX's CRS-14 Dragon capsule is released into space by the robotic arm on the International Space Station on May 5, 2018. Dragon will return 4,000 lbs (1,800 kilograms) of science samples and gear to Earth.

SpaceX Dragon Capsule Returns to Earth from Space Station

By Tariq Malik

NASA and SpaceX have postponed the return to Earth of the CRS-14 Dragon cargo ship (seen here at the International Space Station) to Saturday, May 5, 2018, due to rough seas at its splashdown zone.

Rough Seas Delay SpaceX Dragon Capsule's Return to Earth

By Tariq Malik

NASA and SpaceX have postponed the return to Earth of a Dragon cargo ship at the International Space Station due to rough seas in the capsule's Pacific Ocean splashdown zone.

Space debris

Debris-Dodging Spacecraft Could Use Bitcoin-Like Technology

By Elizabeth Howell

Future spacecraft could think for themselves using the same technology that powers Bitcoin.

VP Mike Pence

National Space Council Will Deliver Space-Junk Plan to Trump, VP Pence Says

By Tariq Malik

The United States is getting serious about space junk, according to Vice President Mike Pence.