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

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Artist's illustration of Astroscale's ELSA-d mission, which in August 2021 released and successfully captured an experimental piece of space junk for the first time.

Spacecraft anomaly stalls Astroscale space debris cleanup test

By Mike Wall published

Astroscale has suspended its ELSA-d demonstration mission in Earth orbit after detecting "anomalous spacecraft conditions," the Japanese startup announced on Twitter Wednesday (Jan. 26).

The largest satellite in orbit around Earth is the International Space Station.

What is a satellite?

By Elizabeth Howell, Ben Biggs published

reference Artificial satellites from Earth have only populated space since 1957, but there are now hundreds of thousands of objects from our planet in orbit.

A Russian Angara A5 rocket launches from Plesetsk Cosmodrome on the vehicle’s third demonstration mission on Dec. 27, 2021. The rocket, carrying a dummy payload, reached low Earth orbit, but an upper-stage engine failure prevented it from going higher as planned, according to media reports.

Big hunk of failed Russian rocket crashes to Earth as space junk

By Mike Wall published

The Persei upper stage of a Russian Angara A5 rocket crashed back to Earth in an uncontrolled fashion today (Jan. 5), reentering over the South Pacific at 4:08 p.m. EST (2108 GMT).

Cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky shared this photo of the International Space Station on Twitter on Sept. 29, 2021. He and two colleagues were relocating a Russian Soyuz spacecraft from one port to another at the time.

Space station dodges space debris from decades-old Pegasus rocket

By Meghan Bartels published

The International Space Station dodged a fragment of a decades-old rocket body early Friday morning, continuing a stretch of space debris threats to the orbiting laboratory.

A NASA camera aboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory satellite caught this view of Africa and the entire sunlit side of Earth on July 9, 2015.

1st Space Council meeting under VP Harris highlights climate change, competitiveness and responsible space behavior

By Mike Wall published

Using space assets to monitor and help mitigate climate change, investing in STEM education and helping to establish and uphold rules for space behavior will be priorities going forward.

There are currently more than 1,800 Starlink satellites in orbit. The company plans to launch tens of thousands.

SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites forced to dodge Russian anti-satellite test debris

By Tereza Pultarova published

Elon Musk admitted that SpaceX had to move several of its Starlink satellites to prevent in-orbit collisions with fragments of space debris created by the Russian anti-satellite missile test.

NASA astronaut Thomas Marshburn completing a spacewalk during STS-127 in 2009.

Russian anti-satellite test has made spacewalks riskier for astronauts

By Chelsea Gohd published

Space is more dangerous than ever after Russia's recent anti-satellite test.

Space debris generated by the Russian anti-satellite missile test in November 2021.

Can SpaceX's Starlink sue Russia for anti-satellite missile test space debris fallout?

By Tereza Pultarova published

Can satellite operators sue Russia for deliberately cluttering the heavily used low Earth orbit with space debris from the Nov. 15 anti-satellite missile test or anything goes in space?

Clutter in the cosmos.

Space debris: More storm clouds ahead in orbit, experts say

By Leonard David published

What to do about orbital debris is now a daily topic of conversation and concern within the space community. But is it all too little, too late?

Space companies and nations around the world have spoken out about Russia's recent ASAT test that created hundreds of pieces of space debris. This NASA graphic depicts the amount of space junk currently orbiting Earth. The debris field is based on data from NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office. Image released on May 1, 2013.

Russian anti-satellite missile test draws condemnation from space companies and countries

By Chelsea Gohd published

Across the globe, nations and space companies alike are speaking out about Russia's anti-satellite (ASAT) test that forced astronauts in space to take cover.

This NASA graphic depicts the amount of space junk orbiting Earth.

Steve Wozniak's startup Privateer plans to launch hundreds of satellites to study space debris

By Mike Wall published

Privateer aims to characterize the orbital debris population like never before. It will do this by incorporating a variety of data, including information gathered by its own sizable satellite fleet.

The Expedition 66 crew poses for a portrait at the International Space Station. From left: Pyotr Dubrov of Roscosmos; Thomas Marshburn of NASA; Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos; Raja Chari, Mark Vande Hei and Kayla Barron, all from NASA; and Matthias Maurer from ESA

Hear how NASA alerted astronauts to incoming space debris after Russian anti-satellite test

By Elizabeth Howell published

Expedition 66 woke up to take shelter in their return ships following a Russian anti-satellite test.

cosmos 1408 space debris

Space debris from Russian anti-satellite missile test spotted in telescope images and video

By Elizabeth Howell published

Pieces of a shattered Russian satellite are visible in new telescope images after the country's anti-satellite weapons test on Nov. 15, 2021.

This animation from the European Space Agency depicts the number of debris objects larger than 1 millimeter in Earth orbit.

Russia defends anti-satellite test amid US criticism

By Elizabeth Howell published

Russia's defense ministry says there is no threat to International Space Station crews or nearby satellites

A conceptual image illustrating space debris orbiting Earth.

Space debris from Russian anti-satellite test will be a safety threat for years

By Tereza Pultarova published

Debris created by the anti-satellite missile test conducted by Russia yesterday will pose a threat to satellites in orbit as well as crews at the International Space Station for years to come.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaks at a press briefing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, in July 2021.

NASA chief Bill Nelson condemns Russian anti-satellite test

By Hanneke Weitering published

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has condemned a Russian anti-satellite test on Monday (Nov. 15) that put the International Space Station at risk of colliding with the resulting debris.

An illustration of space debris in orbit.

Russian anti-satellite test a 'dangerous and irresponsible' act that threatens astronauts, US says

By Chelsea Gohd published

Russia conducted an anti-satellite test (ASAT), generating hundreds of thousands of pieces of debris and threatening the safety of astronauts on the International Space Station, the U.S. confirmed.

international space station

A chunk of a Chinese satellite almost hit the International Space Station. They dodged it — but the space junk problem is getting worse

By Mark Rigby, Brad Carter published

The satellite exploded into more than 3,500 pieces of debris, most of which are still orbiting.

Artist's illustration of a debris-spawning event in Earth orbit that can cause the Kessler Syndrome.

Kessler Syndrome and the space debris problem

By Mike Wall published

Here's a brief look at the Kessler Syndrome, which describes a snowballing cascade of space junk.

The International Space Station as seen in October 2018.

Space debris forces astronauts on space station to take shelter in return ships

By Meghan Bartels published

The seven astronauts currently living and working on the International Space Station were forced to shelter in their transport vehicles when the station passed uncomfortably closed to orbital debris.