Latest News About Space Junk and Orbital Debris

The amount of trash in Earth orbit, from spent rocket stages, broken satellites and micrometeoroids, is growing. Scientists are working on methods to combat the threat of space junk and orbital debris collisions.
Related Topics: International Space Station, Incredible Space Tech, Military Space, NASA
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Latest about space junk

Failed Soviet Venus lander Kosmos 482 crashes to Earth after 53 years in orbit
By Mike Wall published
The Soviet Union's failed Kosmos 482 Venus lander fell back to Earth today (May 10), bringing a five-decade space odyssey to a dramatic end.

What the Soviet Venus Probe's fiery fall to Earth might look like: These past space junk crashes offer clues
By Josh Dinner published
Recent sighting of spacecraft and debris burning through the atmosphere during their plummet back to Earth offer some clues as to what the reentry of a failed Soviet Venus lander might look like.

Old Soviet Kosmos 482 Venus lander's fall to Earth will be no ordinary space junk crash. Here's why
By Mike Wall published
The Soviet Union's failed Kosmos 482 Venus probe will fall back to Earth from orbit soon, and it may well make it to the ground in one piece.

Scientists chased a falling spacecraft with a plane to understand satellite air pollution
By Tereza Pultarova published
A dramatic aircraft chase of a falling spacecraft has provided new insights into the fiery processes that accompany the atmospheric demise of retired satellites.

International Space Station fires thrusters to avoid Chinese rocket debris
By Josh Dinner published
A Russian cargo ship docked to the International Space Station fired its thrusters Wednesday (April 30) to distance itself from passing piece of orbital space debris.

3 big hunks of space junk crash to Earth every day — and it's only going to get worse
By Tereza Pultarova published
At least three old satellites or rocket bodies fall to Earth every day, a new report reveals. Some experts think it's a worrying trend.

Private Astroscale probe will refuel Space Force satellites high above Earth on landmark 2026 mission
By Andrew Jones published
Astroscale and Orbit Fab are teaming up to refuel U.S. Space Force satellites in geostationary orbit high above Earth, demonstrating a capability that could reshape space operations.

True Anomaly to launch 1st deep-space security missions with autonomous Jackal satellites in 2026
By Mike Wall published
Colorado-based startup True Anomaly plans to begin launching its autonomous Jackal satellites to geosynchronous orbit and Earth-moon space in 2026.
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