Space Junk: A Growing Threat to Our Future in Space
Space debris threatens future space exploration. Learn about the growing problem and what's being done to address it.
Matilda
Space Junk: A Growing Threat to Our Future in Space
The vast expanse of space, once considered an infinite frontier, is increasingly becoming a cluttered junkyard. Low Earth orbit (LEO), the region of space closest to Earth, is now home to millions of pieces of debris, ranging from defunct satellites and spent rocket stages to tiny fragments of paint and metal. This growing problem of space junk poses a significant threat to our continued exploration and utilization of space, as well as to the safety of astronauts and spacecraft. What is Space Debris? Space debris, also known as orbital debris, is any man-made object in Earth orbit that no longer serves a useful function. This includes everything from large objects like defunct satellites and rocket bodies to smaller pieces like nuts, bolts, and flecks of paint. The majority of space debris is concentrated in LEO, where the gravitational pull of Earth is strong enough to keep objects in orbit but weak enough to allow them to eventually re-enter the atmosphere and burn up. The Growing Prob…
