All articles tagged with #space debris
A new 'CRASH Clock' study warns that in a worst-case scenario, Earth-orbiting satellites could start colliding within less than three days, a significant decrease from previous estimates, driven by the rapid increase in satellite numbers and potential space weather events, raising concerns about space debris and the Kessler Syndrome.
The article discusses the increasing risk of space debris hitting airplanes, highlighting the challenges in predicting re-entry of space junk, recent incidents like China's Long March 5B re-entry, and efforts to improve safety through better prediction models, international coordination, and standards, while reassuring that the probability of a collision remains very low.
A Spanish military communications satellite, SpainSat NG 2, launched in October 2024, was struck by a 'space particle' while maneuvering in orbit, potentially affecting its mission. The incident occurred at about 50,000 km altitude, possibly involving micrometeoroids or space weather effects, but not orbital debris. The satellite's operator, Indra Group, is analyzing the damage and has contingency plans, including potential replacement, which could take years. The satellite is part of a European secure communications network.
In 2025, space debris around Earth has reached nearly 130 million pieces, causing increased collision risks and prompting emergency responses like China's spacecraft re-entry delay, highlighting the urgent need for better debris tracking, international cooperation, and sustainable space practices to prevent future crises.
Researchers propose a shift from designing satellites to burn up upon reentry ('design for demise') to creating indestructible satellites ('design for non-demise') that survive reentry, aiming to reduce atmospheric pollution and protect the ozone layer, despite potential risks of debris falling to Earth.
Astronomers captured a rare, bright flash on the Moon caused by a meteoroid impact, providing valuable data on space debris and impact frequency, which is crucial for future lunar exploration safety.
A Starlink satellite experienced an anomaly, vented propellant, and released debris into orbit, raising concerns about space debris and the risk of Kessler Syndrome, as the satellite is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere within weeks.
Researchers warn that the increasing number of lunar satellites will lead to the moon becoming a graveyard for defunct spacecraft, potentially damaging scientific sites and instruments. To manage this, experts suggest establishing designated impact zones for controlled crash-landing of old satellites, which could also provide seismic data about the moon's structure.
A SpaceX Starlink satellite experienced an anomaly causing it to lose communication, generate debris, and begin reentry into Earth's atmosphere, posing no risk to the ISS. The incident highlights ongoing space safety concerns amid SpaceX's dominant role in global launch activity.
A SpaceX Starlink satellite malfunctioned and is now spiraling toward Earth, likely due to an internal explosion, raising concerns about space debris and congestion in low Earth orbit, which is becoming increasingly crowded with over 24,000 objects and projected to reach 70,000 satellites by the end of the decade.
A new metric called the CRASH Clock quantifies the risk of catastrophic satellite collisions, revealing that a severe event like a solar storm could cause a collision in less than three days, highlighting the urgent need to address space debris and satellite congestion, especially with the rapid increase in satellite constellations by companies like SpaceX.
The Geminid meteor shower, peaking around December 13, was captured in a striking image showing meteors originating from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, highlighting its unique nature as an asteroid acting like a comet, and offering a dramatic view of space debris entering Earth's atmosphere.
A near-miss occurred on December 12 when a Starlink satellite narrowly avoided colliding with a Chinese-launched satellite launched just 48 hours earlier, highlighting the lack of an international space traffic management system. With the increasing number of satellites from companies like SpaceX and Amazon, the risk of space debris and collisions is rising, potentially leading to catastrophic chain reactions and debris falling to Earth, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated space traffic control.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured images of two massive cosmic collisions near the star Fomalhaut, revealing dust clouds from space rocks at least 37 miles wide. These rare observations suggest such collisions may be more common than previously thought, providing valuable insights into planet formation processes.
A new study warns that a severe solar storm could trigger satellite collisions in Earth's orbit within days, especially in low Earth orbit where most satellites like SpaceX's Starlink operate, potentially leading to a cascade of debris and making space unusable. The risk is higher now than in 2018 due to increased satellite numbers, and future solar storms could cause significant disruptions if satellite operators are unprepared.