Orbital Debris
- All
- News
- Videos
-
Increasing Space Debris Risks Aircraft Collisions, Experts Warn
Uncontrolled space debris entering Earth's atmosphere is becoming a growing concern, with rising risks to aircraft safety. A study from the University of British Columbia reveals a 26% chance of debris collisions in high-traffic regions like the Northeastern US and Northern Europe. Recent incidents, such as falling debris from SpaceX’s Starship 7...
-
Rocket Lab Delays IoT Satellite Launch to Ensure Safe Trajectory in Space
Rocket Lab has postponed its "IOT 4 You and Me" mission to avoid potential collisions with satellites and the International Space Station. This mission, set to deploy five IoT satellites, marks Rocket Lab's first launch of 2025. The company is taking extra precautions to monitor space traffic and ensure the rocket follows a safe trajectory. The sat...
-
NASA's Astronaut Sunita Williams Poses with Tentacle-Armed Astrobee Robot on ISS: Report
NASA’s Astrobee robot tested its REACCH system aboard the ISS, demonstrating advanced robotic arms inspired by gecko adhesion for satellite servicing and space debris management. Astronaut Sunita Williams, Expedition 72 Commander, participated in the demonstration inside the Kibo module, mimicking the robot’s flexible arms. The technology aims ...
-
Space Junk Crisis: Experts Call for Immediate Action to Avoid Orbital Disaster
Rising space debris in low Earth orbit is raising concerns among scientists, who warn of potential catastrophic collisions. Experts at the AGU meeting highlighted that unregulated satellite launches and growing orbital debris are depleting shared space resources. Urgent global efforts are needed to prevent the Kessler syndrome, which could make Ear...
-
More Than 14,000 Satellites, 120 Million Pieces Of Debris Jamming Earth Orbit
The rapid increase in satellites and space junk will make low Earth orbit unusable unless companies and countries cooperate and share the data needed to manage that most accessible region of space, experts and industry insiders said.
-
ISS Successfully Executes Collision Avoidance Maneuver Amid Rising Space Junk Threat
The International Space Station (ISS) conducted its 39th collision avoidance maneuver to evade space debris from a 2015 satellite breakup. The adjustment in orbit prevented a potential close encounter within 2.5 miles of the ISS. Experts attribute increasing debris risks to factors such as satellite fragmentation events and solar activity. Measures...
-
Mars' Moons Might Have Been Created From Asteroids Coming Too Close to the Red Planet
A study published in Icarus explores the possibility that Mars’ moons, Phobos and Deimos, formed from asteroid debris torn apart by the planet’s gravitational forces. Researchers ran advanced simulations to propose this scenario, which fits the moons’ circular orbits better than previous theories. Japan’s upcoming MMX mission is expected to...
-
Space Debris Accumulation in the Stratosphere Threatens Major Environmental Risks
The growing presence of satellite space junk, as more satellites enter Earth's orbit, has raised concerns about environmental impacts. Pollution from burnt-up satellites contributes to changes in atmospheric chemistry, with metals like aluminium potentially harming the ozone layer. Scientists warn that satellite re-entries are contributing to a ris...
-
Skynet-1A Satellite’s Unexplained Orbit Shift Raises Questions About Command History
Launched in 1969, the UK's oldest satellite, Skynet-1A, has moved significantly from its original position. Experts believe this was due to a deliberate command in the 1970s. The satellite now orbits over the Americas, near active satellite traffic, raising risks of collisions. Limited records exist regarding its control history, with suggestions o...
-
European Space Agency in Talks with SpaceX for Global Initiative on Space Junk Reduction
The European Space Agency (ESA) is currently in discussions with SpaceX regarding the latter’s potential involvement in a global initiative to address space junk. With nearly 19,000 pieces of debris orbiting Earth, ESA’s Zero Debris Charter aims to halt the addition of new debris by 2030. As SpaceX operates about two-thirds of active satellites...
-
Boeing's Intelsat 33e Satellite Shatters in Orbit, Leaving 20 Pieces of Debris
Boeing's Intelsat 33e satellite has broken apart in orbit, resulting in at least 20 pieces of debris. The satellite ceased operation on 19 October 2024, with a total loss confirmed two days later. Currently, the cause of the incident remains unclear, prompting investigations by Intelsat and Boeing. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regardin...
-
India’s AstroSat and NASA's Space Observatories Collaborate to Unravel Black Hole’s Mystery
Researchers from NASA and India’s ISRO have collaborated to study the interaction between a massive black hole and a star that ventured too close. Using multiple observatories, including AstroSat, they discovered the link between tidal disruption events and quasi-periodic eruptions. This research offers new insights into the expanding debris disk...
-
China's Rocket Debris May Stay In Orbit For Decades, Experts Warn
Despite China's assurances on debris mitigation, experts worry about the growing risk from such incidents, emphasizing the need for better international regulation.
-
China Rocket Ends Up As 300-Piece Space Junk After Satellite Constellation Launch
China's Long March 6A rocket broke apart creating over 300 pieces of trackable debris in low Earth orbit, after achieving a significant milestone of launching 18 Qianfan satellites, the US Space Command (USSPACECOM) said today.
-
Space Station Astronauts Forced To Shelter After Russian Satellite Breaks Up
A Russian satellite has broken up into more than 100 pieces of debris in orbit, forcing astronauts on the International Space Station to take shelter, US space agencies said.
-
Increasing Space Debris Risks Aircraft Collisions, Experts Warn
Uncontrolled space debris entering Earth's atmosphere is becoming a growing concern, with rising risks to aircraft safety. A study from the University of British Columbia reveals a 26% chance of debris collisions in high-traffic regions like the Northeastern US and Northern Europe. Recent incidents, such as falling debris from SpaceX’s Starship 7...
-
Rocket Lab Delays IoT Satellite Launch to Ensure Safe Trajectory in Space
Rocket Lab has postponed its "IOT 4 You and Me" mission to avoid potential collisions with satellites and the International Space Station. This mission, set to deploy five IoT satellites, marks Rocket Lab's first launch of 2025. The company is taking extra precautions to monitor space traffic and ensure the rocket follows a safe trajectory. The sat...
-
NASA's Astronaut Sunita Williams Poses with Tentacle-Armed Astrobee Robot on ISS: Report
NASA’s Astrobee robot tested its REACCH system aboard the ISS, demonstrating advanced robotic arms inspired by gecko adhesion for satellite servicing and space debris management. Astronaut Sunita Williams, Expedition 72 Commander, participated in the demonstration inside the Kibo module, mimicking the robot’s flexible arms. The technology aims ...
-
Space Junk Crisis: Experts Call for Immediate Action to Avoid Orbital Disaster
Rising space debris in low Earth orbit is raising concerns among scientists, who warn of potential catastrophic collisions. Experts at the AGU meeting highlighted that unregulated satellite launches and growing orbital debris are depleting shared space resources. Urgent global efforts are needed to prevent the Kessler syndrome, which could make Ear...
-
More Than 14,000 Satellites, 120 Million Pieces Of Debris Jamming Earth Orbit
The rapid increase in satellites and space junk will make low Earth orbit unusable unless companies and countries cooperate and share the data needed to manage that most accessible region of space, experts and industry insiders said.
-
ISS Successfully Executes Collision Avoidance Maneuver Amid Rising Space Junk Threat
The International Space Station (ISS) conducted its 39th collision avoidance maneuver to evade space debris from a 2015 satellite breakup. The adjustment in orbit prevented a potential close encounter within 2.5 miles of the ISS. Experts attribute increasing debris risks to factors such as satellite fragmentation events and solar activity. Measures...
-
Mars' Moons Might Have Been Created From Asteroids Coming Too Close to the Red Planet
A study published in Icarus explores the possibility that Mars’ moons, Phobos and Deimos, formed from asteroid debris torn apart by the planet’s gravitational forces. Researchers ran advanced simulations to propose this scenario, which fits the moons’ circular orbits better than previous theories. Japan’s upcoming MMX mission is expected to...
-
Space Debris Accumulation in the Stratosphere Threatens Major Environmental Risks
The growing presence of satellite space junk, as more satellites enter Earth's orbit, has raised concerns about environmental impacts. Pollution from burnt-up satellites contributes to changes in atmospheric chemistry, with metals like aluminium potentially harming the ozone layer. Scientists warn that satellite re-entries are contributing to a ris...
-
Skynet-1A Satellite’s Unexplained Orbit Shift Raises Questions About Command History
Launched in 1969, the UK's oldest satellite, Skynet-1A, has moved significantly from its original position. Experts believe this was due to a deliberate command in the 1970s. The satellite now orbits over the Americas, near active satellite traffic, raising risks of collisions. Limited records exist regarding its control history, with suggestions o...
-
European Space Agency in Talks with SpaceX for Global Initiative on Space Junk Reduction
The European Space Agency (ESA) is currently in discussions with SpaceX regarding the latter’s potential involvement in a global initiative to address space junk. With nearly 19,000 pieces of debris orbiting Earth, ESA’s Zero Debris Charter aims to halt the addition of new debris by 2030. As SpaceX operates about two-thirds of active satellites...
-
Boeing's Intelsat 33e Satellite Shatters in Orbit, Leaving 20 Pieces of Debris
Boeing's Intelsat 33e satellite has broken apart in orbit, resulting in at least 20 pieces of debris. The satellite ceased operation on 19 October 2024, with a total loss confirmed two days later. Currently, the cause of the incident remains unclear, prompting investigations by Intelsat and Boeing. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regardin...
-
India’s AstroSat and NASA's Space Observatories Collaborate to Unravel Black Hole’s Mystery
Researchers from NASA and India’s ISRO have collaborated to study the interaction between a massive black hole and a star that ventured too close. Using multiple observatories, including AstroSat, they discovered the link between tidal disruption events and quasi-periodic eruptions. This research offers new insights into the expanding debris disk...
-
China's Rocket Debris May Stay In Orbit For Decades, Experts Warn
Despite China's assurances on debris mitigation, experts worry about the growing risk from such incidents, emphasizing the need for better international regulation.
-
China Rocket Ends Up As 300-Piece Space Junk After Satellite Constellation Launch
China's Long March 6A rocket broke apart creating over 300 pieces of trackable debris in low Earth orbit, after achieving a significant milestone of launching 18 Qianfan satellites, the US Space Command (USSPACECOM) said today.
-
Space Station Astronauts Forced To Shelter After Russian Satellite Breaks Up
A Russian satellite has broken up into more than 100 pieces of debris in orbit, forcing astronauts on the International Space Station to take shelter, US space agencies said.
