Space Debris
Space debris, often referred to as "space junk," consists of discarded satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegration of spacecraft. This material orbits Earth at high speeds, posing a collision risk to operational satellites and the International Space Station. As the volume of debris increases, the potential for accidents rises, which could create even more debris in a cascading effect. Efforts are ongoing to track, monitor, and develop solutions to mitigate space debris to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities.
Additional Insights
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Space debris refers to non-functional objects in Earth's orbit, including defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or explosions. These remnants pose a risk to operational spacecraft and the International Space Station, as even small pieces can travel at high speeds and cause significant damage. The increasing amount of debris raises concerns about the safety of space missions and the sustainability of our activities in space. Efforts are ongoing to track and manage this debris to protect our space environment and future endeavors in space exploration.