Tag: space sustainability
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US Space Force awards first-of-its-kind $52 million contract to deorbit its satellites—Starfish Space leads the mission
Groundbreaking Milestone: A First-Ever Deorbit Contract The U.S. Space Force has taken a historic step toward responsible space stewardship by awarding a $52.5 million contract to Starfish Space to deorbit its satellites at the end of their operational life. This is the first time a U.S. defense agency has signed a contract specifically dedicated to…
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US Space Force awards Starfish Space $52M for first-of-its-kind satellite deorbit program
Overview: A historic contract marks a turning point in space sustainability The U.S. Space Force has awarded Starfish Space, a Seattle-area space services company, a landmark $52.5 million contract to perform end-of-life disposal for its satellites. This is the first time the U.S. military has formalized a structured deorbit service, signaling a growing emphasis on…
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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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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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Space Debris 2025 Crisis: Will Change Happen Soon for Orbit?
Introduction: A Growing Hazard in Orbit Earth is surrounded by a growing cloud of human-made objects racing through space at astonishing speeds. The 2025 orbital debris event highlighted how fragile our space environment has become. From spent rocket bodies to defunct satellites, millions of tiny fragments zip around the planet, posing collision risks to active…
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Golden Satellite Insulation Sparks as Test Photo Highlights a Crowded Orbit
Overview: A Glint in a Crowded Orbit On December 30, 2025, a striking image from a test photo of the day captured a golden sparkle of satellite insulation. The shimmer underscores a broader reality: Earth’s orbital environment is rapidly evolving into a dense traffic lane where thousands of satellites—active, defunct, and damaged—share space with fragments…
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Golden satellite insulation sparkles in a test photo of the day: Dec. 30, 2025
Introduction: A spark of insulation in a crowded orbital landscape A new test photo released on December 30, 2025 captures a striking moment from Earth’s increasingly crowded orbital environment. The image features golden satellite insulation that appears to glitter against the backdrop of space, signaling more than a cosmetic flourish. It marks a broader conversation…
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The 7 Top Space and Defense Tech Startups from Disrupt Startup Battlefield
Introduction: A Glimpse into the Future of Space and Defense Tech TechCrunch’s Disrupt Startup Battlefield remains one of the most influential stages for emerging startups. Each year, thousands apply, hundreds are shortlisted, and a select group earns the chance to pitch before a global audience. In the realm of space and defense technology, the winners…
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Space Debris: Will a Catastrophe Finally Spur Global Action?
Introduction: The Invisible Threat Lurking Above Us As humanity launches more satellites and missions into space, the orbit around Earth grows increasingly crowded with fragments of defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and collision debris. This accumulation—space debris or space junk—poses a real and evolving risk to operational satellites, manned missions, and the future of space…