Latest News About Space Junk and Orbital Debris
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
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.
Can we solve the satellite air pollution problem? Here are 4 possible fixes
By Tereza Pultarova published
New technologies including recoverable satellites and in-orbit space debris recycling could help solve the satellite air pollution problem and prevent a new ecological crisis in the future.
Debris from satellite breakup threatens other spacecraft, animation shows
By Tereza Pultarova published
Debris from the broken-apart Intelsat 33e telecom satellite is spreading across geosynchronous orbit, threatening spacecraft in this precious region of space, an animation shows.
Fighting space junk: More than 100 partners sign Europe's 'Zero Debris Charter'
By Andrew Jones published
More than 100 partners have signed Europe's Zero Debris Charter, a push to help get Earth's space junk problem under control.
How much do SpaceX's reentering Starlink satellites pollute Earth's atmosphere?
By Tereza Pultarova published
SpaceX's Starlink satellites now make up 40% of reentering satellite debris. But is Elon Musk's space company the worst polluter of Earth's upper atmosphere?
The moon, Mars and space junk: World space agency heads outline grand plans, but also concerns
By Andrew Jones published
Leaders of major space agencies stated grand plans for the near future at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, while noting concerns regarding Earth and the space environment.
Pollution from rocket launches and burning satellites could cause the next environmental emergency
By Tereza Pultarova published
The growing number of rocket launches and satellites burning up in Earth's atmosphere could trigger the world's next big environmental emergency.
Space Force's mysterious X-37B space plane to attempt new 'aerobraking' maneuvers in orbit
By Andrew Jones published
The U.S. military's X-37B space plane is about to begin a series of novel maneuvers, according to a rare official update on the spacecraft.
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