Latest News About Space Junk and Orbital Debris

Latest about space junk

Earth orbit is getting crowded. Can this map of 1 million routes around our planet help prevent satellite collisions?

By Julian Dossett Published

Could we prevent in-orbit crashes in the future by using advanced computer models?

2 Comments
Satellites
an artist's rendering of a NASA Artemis moon base with development underway.
Can current space law handle the new space age?

By Andrew Jones Published

A new proposal suggests borrowing the "Conference of the Parties" model from climate diplomacy to update space law before orbital congestion and lunar competition escalate.

Space Exploration
rows of metallic objects are folded up in a rack high above earth
From space to the seabed, critical infrastructure is becoming more vulnerable, experts warn: 'People don't realize how dependent we are'

By Sharmila Kuthunur Published

"We are on Day 1. A lot more needs to be done."

Satellites
The European space freighter ATV "Jules Verne" burns up over an uninhabited area of the Pacific Ocean at the end of its mission on Sept. 29, 2008.
Earthquake sensors can track space junk that crashes back to Earth

By Tereza Pultarova Published

Earthquake sensors can detect sonic booms generated by reentering space debris to help track the potentially dangerous objects in near real time.

Satellites
A team of people examine a metal spacecraft in the middle of a sandy area with Chinese flags waving nearby
Chinese capsule damaged by space-junk strike returns to Earth (video)

By Leonard David Published

The first emergency operation in the history of China's human spaceflight program ended on Jan. 19 when an uncrewed Shenzhou 20 capsule damaged by a space-junk strike came safely down to Earth.

Human Spaceflight
An illustration of two satellites with opposing solar panels on either side floating above the glowing blue atmosphere of Earth
US Space Force awards 1st-of-its-kind $52 million contract to deorbit its satellites

By Mike Wall Published

"This contract reflects both the value of affordable servicing missions and the technical readiness of the Otter."

4 Comments
Launches & Spacecraft
two satellites float in space orbiting Earth
‘Space particle’ slams into Spain’s new communications satellite high above Earth

By Josh Dinner Published

Spain's latest military communications satellite suffered a debris impact while headed to its orbital destination. The extent of the damage is still unknown.

7 Comments
Launches & Spacecraft
An illustration showing a metal satellite floating above Earth with metal debris strewn about it in space with the sun at the top of the image
The risk of falling space junk hitting airplanes is on the rise, experts warn

By Kiona N. Smith Published

Space debris falling to Earth is a growing threat to aircraft, and experts are trying to reduce the risk.

4 Comments
Satellites
a stack of satellites are deployed into Earth orbit with the full sun visible
SpaceX lowering orbits of 4,400 Starlink satellites for safety's sake

By Mike Wall Published

SpaceX will soon lower the orbits of about 4,400 Starlink satellites, to decrease the threat they pose to other spacecraft and reduce space traffic overall.

5 Comments
Satellites
A look at orbital debris floating above Earth's atmosphere in space.
Space debris led to an orbital emergency in 2025. Will anything change?

By Leonard David Published

"Some will not change behavior until something bad happens."

Launches & Spacecraft
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