Too much space junk

jean-daniel pauget / CC

Space junk, also known as orbital debris, refers to man-made objects that are no longer useful or functional and are left orbiting around Earth. These objects can range in size from tiny paint flecks to massive satellites and rocket stages. According to the United States Space Surveillance Network (SSN), there are currently over 23,000 pieces of debris larger than 4 inches in orbit around Earth. These objects are tracked by the SSN, which the US Department of Defense runs, and other agencies and organizations worldwide. In addition to the larger pieces of debris, millions of smaller pieces of space junk are too small to be tracked but can still pose a significant threat to spacecraft and satellites. In addition to the immediate risks posed by space debris, the increasing amount of space junk can also contribute to a dangerous phenomenon known as the Kessler Syndrome. This theory suggests that if the density of space debris in low Earth orbit becomes high enough, it could trigger a chain reaction of collisions and debris creation that would make the environment in space unusable for many years.