Latest News About Space Junk and Orbital Debris

U.S. and Australia Join Forces to Track Space Junk
This graphic depicts the trackable objects, satellites and space junk, in orbit around Earth. (Image credit: ESA)

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

A fireball from debris caused by a falling Starlink satellite lights up night sky

SpaceX Starlink satellite sparks brilliant fireball as it falls from space over US (videos)

By Tariq Malik published

A SpaceX Starlink internet satellite fell from space in a blaze of glory overnight, lighting up the Midwest U.S. sky with a brilliant fireball.

Stargazing
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center carrying the Shiyan-10 02 satellite on Dec. 29, 2022.

Chinese rocket booster falls to Earth, explodes near home (video)

By Andrew Jones published

China successfully launched a classified satellite on Thursday (Jan. 23), but a spent booster from the mission fell shockingly close to a family home.

Launches & Spacecraft
SpaceX's Starship vehicle launches on its seventh-ever test flight on Jan. 16, 2025.

FAA requiring investigation into SpaceX Starship's Flight 7 explosion

By Mike Wall published

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is requiring an investigation into the explosion of SpaceX's Starship upper stage during the vehicle's seventh test flight on Jan. 16.

Private Spaceflight
The two stages of SpaceX's Starship megarocket separate during the vehicle's seventh test flight on Jan. 16, 2025.

SpaceX Starship explosion likely caused by propellant leak, Elon Musk says

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX has traced the likely cause of the explosion that destroyed its Starship vehicle during its Jan. 16 test flight to a leak of liquid oxygen or liquid methane.

Private Spaceflight
Earth as seen from the upper stage of SpaceX's seventh Starship vehicle during its test flight on Jan. 16, 2025. The vehicle suffered an anomaly and exploded in Earth's atmosphere around 8.5 minutes after launch.

Watch SpaceX Starship explode over Atlantic Ocean on Flight Test 7 (videos)

By Brett Tingley, Mike Wall published

The upper stage of SpaceX's Starship megarocket exploded over the Atlantic Ocean during the vehicle's Flight 7 test today (Jan. 16), and lots of people saw the sky show.

Private Spaceflight
Three small cubesats, including the wooden LignoSat, deploy from the International Space Station. NASA posted this photo via X on Dec. 13, 2024.

World's 1st wooden satellite deploys from ISS to demonstrate cleaner spacecraft tech (photo)

By Tereza Pultarova published

LignoSat's six-month mission will demonstrate whether wood could help reduce the environmental impact of spaceflight in the future.

Satellites
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
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