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
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
Latest about space junk
ISS fires thrusters to dodge hunk of space junk
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.
World's 1st wooden satellite arrives at ISS for key orbital test
LignoSat could help change the way we build satellites.
Astronomers urge FCC to halt satellite megaconstellation launches
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
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
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'
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?
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
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.
