What Is Space Junk?
Image: NASA
8 July 2024
Space junk, or space debris, is a growing problem that poses a global threat to space exploration and human safety
Image: ESA
It is any machinery or debris left in space by humans. Items range in size from large objects such as failed or dead satellites to tiny objects such as paint flecks and nuts and bolts
Image: ESA
Most space junk travels at speeds of 18,000 miles per hour, according to NASA, and the population of debris larger than 1 centimetre in size is approximately 1 million
Image: ESA
There may be as many as 170 million pieces of debris in orbit, with the vast majority too small to track due to limits in current technology
Image: NASA
Although we don't see space junk in the sky, beyond the clouds and further than the eye can see, it enters low Earth orbit (LEO) - an orbital space junkyard
Image: NASA
There are no international space laws to clean up debris in LEO. So, LEO is now viewed as the world's largest garbage dump, as per NASA
Image: Unsplash
Future and current missions can be at risk of debris strikes. There are drawbacks to manoeuvring a satellite to avoid space junk as it may end up in a less efficient orbit
Image: Unsplash
In 2021, the International Space Station was damaged when a two-inch piece of space junk struck one of its components
Image: NASA
In 2015, astronauts on the ISS also had to evacuate to a space capsule after being warned of junk coming toward them
Image: Unsplash
Enhanced government and commercial tracking systems will contribute to reducing space junk, but better information sharing among satellite operators will also be needed
Image: Unsplash
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Image: NASA
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