Tag: Space Debris
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US Space Force Deorbit Contract: Starfish Space Wins $52M for Satellite Disposal
Overview The United States Space Force has awarded Starfish Space, a Washington-based company, a landmark contract valued at $52.5 million to deorbit its satellites at the end of their operational life. This is the first time a U.S. agency has contracted a private firm specifically for end-of-life disposal of orbital assets, signaling a potential shift…
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Philippines Issues Fresh Rocket Debris Warning After China Launch
Overview: Fresh Debris Warning After a Chinese Launch The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has issued a new debris warning following China’s latest rocket launch. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about space debris and the need for proactive monitoring as nations push forward with ambitious space programs. While the immediate risk to aviation and populations is…
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Earth Faces Rising Threat from Space Debris: 1.1 Million+ Pieces in Orbit
Growing Cloud of Space Debris Around Earth Earth’s orbital environment is becoming increasingly crowded. Current estimates show more than 1.1 million pieces of space debris larger than 1 centimeter drifting around the planet at speeds up to 18,000 miles per hour. This debris ranges from tiny fragments to old satellites and spent rocket stages. The…
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Space Debris: 1.1 Million Pieces in Orbit Raising Risks
What the numbers mean Earth’s orbital environment is now crowded with debris from decades of spaceflight. Recent assessments estimate more than 1.1 million pieces larger than 1 centimeter are currently circling the planet, traveling at velocities up to about 18,000 miles per hour. Each fragment, from defunct satellites to spent rocket stages, can threaten operational…
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Space Debris Surpasses 1.1 Million Pieces, Elevating Orbital and Ground Risks
Unseen Hazard in the Sky: Debris Numbers Now Top 1.1 Million Earth’s orbital environment is increasingly crowded with human-made debris. Analysts estimate there are more than 1.1 million pieces of space debris larger than 1 centimeter currently orbiting the planet, hurtling around at roughly 18,000 miles per hour. This is more than a count statistic:…
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Satellite Overload: Preserving the Night Sky Through UN Action
Unraveling the Brightening Night Sky As the pace of space activity accelerates toward a projected 1.7 million satellites by 2030, the night sky risks becoming a cluttered canvas of artificial light and radio interference. Astronomers warn that without coordinated global policy, celestial observations—crucial for climate science, navigation, and fundamental physics—could be compromised. In response, scientists,…
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Rising Risk of Space Junk Hitting Airplanes Across the Globe
Overview: Space Debris and Its Growing Threat to Aviation As humanity launches more satellites and stages into orbit, an unfortunate consequence is the increasing amount of space debris. While most fragments burn up upon reentry, a significant portion survives and can descend through Earth’s atmosphere. The risk of a debris piece colliding with an airplane…
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Rising risk of space junk hitting airplanes sparks safety concerns
Introduction: A growing hazard from above Space debris, once mainly a concern for satellites and spacecraft engineers, is increasingly drawing the attention of aviation safety specialists. As more objects populate near-Earth orbit and as reentry patterns become less predictable, the likelihood of debris intersecting commercial flight paths or atmospheric reentry zones is rising. This article…
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Rising Risk: Space Debris Could Endanger Aircraft More Than Ever
The Growing Threat from Space Debris For years, scientists and aviation authorities have warned that space debris is not confined to the skies above orbiting stations and satellites. As humans launch more missions and old hardware reenters Earth’s atmosphere, the risk of debris colliding with or being ingested by commercial and private aircraft is rising.…
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Coastal Communities on Alert as China Rockets Re-Entry Sparks Debris Warnings
Overview: Debris Warning After China Rocket Launch Coastal villages in four areas of Northern Luzon are on alert as officials monitor potential debris from a recent rocket launch by China. The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) issued advisories urging residents to stay informed and report any suspicious objects that could pose a danger to people or…