Space Debris - NASA
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 millions of pieces of space junk flying in LEO.
Orbital Debris - NASA
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 Office measures the environment and leads mitigation efforts to protect users of the orbital environment.
NASA Study Provides New Look at Orbital Debris, Potential …
May 20, 2024 · These new estimates cover everything from the largest debris in space down to millimeter-size fragments. The report also expands the OTPS teams’ focus to include actions that can mitigate the creation of new debris and track existing debris.
Space Debris: Understanding the Risks to NASA Spacecraft
Jul 11, 2016 · Micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) is the number one risk for NASA’s human spaceflight programs. Many orbital debris objects—approximately 20,000—are large enough to be tracked and catalogued by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network and can be avoided by spacecraft maneuvering.
ARES | Orbital Debris Program Office
The NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, located at the Johnson Space Center, is recognized world-wide for its initiative in addressing orbital debris issues.
NASA-Supported Studies Will Focus on Addressing Space Debris
Jul 28, 2023 · The estimated 10,000 metric tons of debris orbiting Earth can endanger spacecraft, jeopardize access to space, and impede the development of a low-Earth orbit economy, including commercial and non-governmental actors.
NASA Seeks Solutions to Detect, Track, Clean Up Small Space Debris
Sep 25, 2023 · A successful solution should deliver real-time, accurate data on debris orbits, physical properties, position, velocity, and potential collision risks. Track: Tracking small space debris involves continuous monitoring of position and trajectory.
123 Search Results for "space junk" - NASA
Orbital debris is “junk” that is circling Earth. It is pieces from spacecraft...Humans have been launching objects into space for more than 50... While space debris was the uncontrolled adversary in the award-winning space...thriller film “Gravity,” space …
Small Satellite Demonstrates Possible Solution for ‘Space Junk’ - NASA
Sep 20, 2018 · The International Space Station deployed this small satellite for the NanoRacks-Remove Debris investigation, designed to demonstrate an approach to reduce the risks presented by orbital debris or "space junk."
Study Finds Earth’s Small Asteroid Visitor Likely Chunk of ... - NASA
Jan 22, 2025 · To rule out 2024 PT5 being space junk, scientists at NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (), which is managed by the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, analyzed its motion.Their precise calculations of the object’s motion under the force of gravity ultimately enabled them to search for additional motion caused by solar radiation pressure.