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

The world's first wooden satellite, LignoSat, developed by scientists at Kyoto University and logging company Sumitomo Forestry, is shown during a press conference at Kyoto University in Kyoto on May 28, 2024.

World's 1st wooden satellite arrives at ISS for key orbital test

By Mike Wall published

LignoSat could help change the way we build satellites.

Satellites
Starlink satellites before deployment.

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.

Satellites
One of the satellites of the European Space Agency's Cluster constellation depicted by an artist reentering Earth's atmosphere.

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.

Tech
An artist's impression of the Intelsat 33e communications satellite.

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.

Satellites
Artist's illustration of space junk orbiting Earth.

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.

Satellites
rows of metallic objects are folded up in a rack high above earth

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?

Satellites
illustration of a silver cylindrical object breaking apart in orbit, with earth in the background

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.

Missions
a cube satellite with dishes on top and bottom and solar panels extended from two sides is burning up in earth's atmosphere. space is seen to the left, and the earth to the right below.

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.

Satellites
Illustration of a space plane in orbit over earth, with the sun in the background

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.

Tech
A piece of space debris streaks with flame as it burns up in the atmosphere.

Europe will launch a satellite in 2027 just to watch it burn

By Andrew Jones published

The European Space Agency plans to launch a satellite called DRACO in 2027, then study how it breaks up during its fiery reentry into Earth's atmosphere.

Satellites
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