Waste in Space: All the news surrounding space junk
Image: Alejandro Otero
The latest news about space junk and global cleanup efforts. What goes up, must come down — unless you’re sending things into space of course, which creates some complications. After more than 60 years of satellite launches and space exploration, manufactured objects like derelict spacecraft and rocket fragments now litter Earth’s orbit as space junk. The waste has damaged or even outright destroyed active spacecraft it collides with, and even caused property damage down here on terra firma when debris has failed to burn up in the atmosphere.
Some efforts, from net-casting satellites to ”Zero Debris” space sustainability initiatives, have been made to address the growing problem. But with analysts estimating that over 2,800 satellites will be launched each year between now and 2032, more needs to be done to ensure that the space around Earth is safe. We’re collecting all our coverage surrounding space junk here to keep you updated.
Image: Alejandro Otero
The latest news about space junk and global cleanup efforts.
What goes up, must come down — unless you’re sending things into space of course, which creates some complications. After more than 60 years of satellite launches and space exploration, manufactured objects like derelict spacecraft and rocket fragments now litter Earth’s orbit as space junk. The waste has damaged or even outright destroyed active spacecraft it collides with, and even caused property damage down here on terra firma when debris has failed to burn up in the atmosphere.
Some efforts, from net-casting satellites to ”Zero Debris” space sustainability initiatives, have been made to address the growing problem. But with analysts estimating that over 2,800 satellites will be launched each year between now and 2032, more needs to be done to ensure that the space around Earth is safe. We’re collecting all our coverage surrounding space junk here to keep you updated.