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 debris crash in Kenya village believed to be from leftover rocket hardware
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.
See a dead Chinese satellite burn up as a brilliant fireball in the night sky (video)
The satellite was one of China's first-ever commercial Earth imaging satellites. RIP, SuperView 1-02.
'Tragedy of the commons' in space: We need to act now to prevent an orbital debris crisis, scientists say
Humanity needs to address the growing space junk problem now, before it gets completely out of hand, scientists stress.
Seismometers track atmospheric shock waves from incoming space debris
Seismometers Track Atmospheric Shock Waves from Incoming Space Debris
Will the International Space Station's 2031 death dive cause pollution problems?
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?
14 of the biggest spacecraft ever to fall from space
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
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
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.
