Tag: Space Policy
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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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China’s Space Station Advances 265 Research Projects, Sets New Records
China’s Space Station Reaches a Landmark in Microgravity Research China’s ongoing space station program is hitting new milestones as it surpasses 265 published research projects, signaling a dramatic upshift in microgravity science, materials research, life sciences, and technology development aboard the orbiting lab. The cumulative work reflects a sustained effort to transform Tiangong into a…
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China’s Space Station Surges Forward: 265 Research Projects, New Records Set
China’s Space Station Sets a New Pace for Research in Orbit China’s space station program announced a remarkable milestone as it accelerates scientific investigations aboard its orbiting platform. In a period marked by rapid experiments and ambitious orbital activities, the station has now deployed 265 research projects, a figure that underscores China’s commitment to expanding…
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China’s Space Milestone: A Record-Breaking Year of 93 Orbital Launches in 2025
Introduction: A Year of Extraordinary Momentum China capped 2025 with a remarkable achievement in space exploration by conducting 93 orbital launches—the most in a single year in the nation’s history. This milestone underscores China’s rapid maturation as a major space power and reinforces the strategic role of the state-led space sector in advancing scientific, commercial,…
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Satellite Overload and the Night Sky: Why the UN Must Help Save Astronomy
Rising Satellite Traffic and Its Impact on Astronomy The rapid expansion of satellite constellations is reshaping the night sky. With estimates pointing toward as many as 1.7 million satellites orbiting the Earth by 2030, astronomers warn that visibility for ground-based observations could be severely degraded. The problem isn’t just light: reflective satellite surfaces can sparkle…
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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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Satellite overload: how the UN could save the night sky
Introduction: a crowd of satellites in the sky As mega-constellations expand and satellite launches accelerate toward an estimated 1.7 million by 2030, astronomers warn that the night sky could become a crowded digital highway. The problem isn’t only about stargazing; it intersects with science, technology, and policy. Bright satellite trails threaten long-exposure astronomical observations, while…
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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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The Perils of Settling Space: Navigating Risks in a New Frontier
Introduction: The Double-Edged Promise of Space Settlement The idea of establishing communities beyond Earth has long captured the imagination of scientists, writers, and dreamers. In discussions like those from Kelly and Zach Weinersmith with host Jenni Doering, the promise of a self-sufficient city on Mars or a lunar outpost often comes paired with a sobering…
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2026 Moon: 13 Full Moons and a Human Return Home
Introduction: A Year That Aligns With the Moon Moon lovers and space enthusiasts have long watched the sky for celestial rhythms. In 2026, those rhythms align in a way that could feel almost poetic: 13 full moons in a single year and a renewed push for humans to return to the Moon. This potential double…