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
Latest about space junk
Space is a critical infrastructure layer, underpinning nearly all systems that enable modern life as we know it. It’s therefore critical to maintain a safe and clean orbital environment.
The space around Earth is turning into a junkyard. Researchers think a refundable deposit scheme could force satellite operators to clean up their act before a tipping point is reached.
An old Soviet satellite has fragmented into multiple pieces in low Earth orbit, the latest in a string of recent breakup events.
A team of researchers just chased a pair of reentering satellites in a private jet to learn about the pollution caused by space debris burning up in Earth's atmosphere.
A private spacecraft failed to rescue NASA's Swift space telescope, meaning the big observatory will come crashing back to Earth in the near future. But details are sparse at the moment.
This little satellite is doomed.
"That's the first time that's ever been done."
The costs of space launch have fallen 96% in the past six decades and have the potential to plummet by nearly as much by 2040, a new study finds.
