Tag: orbital debris
-
The Space Junk Crisis: Why Orbital Debris Is The Next Big Threat To Our Future
Introduction: A crowded orbit and rising stakes Space has long symbolized ambition, innovation, and exploration. But as humanity’s footprint around Earth expands, so does a hidden threat: orbital debris. Thousands of defunct satellites, spent stages, and shattered fragments—collectively dubbed “cosmic junk”—now zigzag through the near-Earth environment at stunning speeds. The consequences aren’t just theoretical: each…
-
Why Scientists Are Worried About Dead Satellites Becoming Space Junk
What is space debris and how do dead satellites become junk? Space debris refers to any human-made object in orbit that no longer serves a purpose. Dead satellites, spent upper stages, and spent rocket bodies can become debris if they are not properly managed at the end of a mission. Even when satellites are designed…