Space debris (also known as space junk, space pollution, [1] space waste, space trash, space garbage, or cosmic debris[2]) are defunct human-made objects in space – principally in Earth …

Nov 3, 2023 · Although we don’t see space junk in the sky, beyond the clouds and further than the eye can see, it enters low Earth orbit (LEO). LEO is an orbital space junk yard. There are …

Feb 13, 2024 · Orbital Debris (OD) is any human-made object in orbit that no longer serves a useful purpose, including spacecraft fragments and retired satellites. NASA’s OD Program …

Apr 22, 2024 · In space, debris comes from the frequent breakup of expended rocket bodies, explosion of satellites, dead satellites, collisions, paint flakes and even tools lost by astronauts. …

Apr 16, 2024 · Space junk typically circles the planet in low Earth orbit, or within 1,200 miles of Earth's surface. Orbits are classified in three basic categories: High: Most weather and...

Jan 8, 2025 · According to space debris statistics by NASA, the Earth’s orbit has surpassed being fully occupied; it is almost crowded with an estimated 500,000 pieces of debris consisting of …

Jan 21, 2025 · Even the International Space Station often has to adjust its orbit to dodge debris. Currently there are more than 25,000 pieces of trackable human-made junk larger than 10 …

Jan 20, 2025 · According to the European Space Agency, there are currently around 40,500 out-of-control space junk fragments larger than 4 inches (10 centimeters), up to 1.1 million pieces …

Jun 28, 2024 · Space debris — known colloquially as space junk — is the name that scientists give to the tens of thousands of pieces of broken satellites and spacecraft that clog Earth's orbit.

Sep 11, 2024 · Planners must take space junk into account for successful space missions to Earth orbit. Each of these pieces of junk is traveling at tens of thousands of miles per hour. At …