Space debris (also known as space junk, space pollution, [1] space waste, space trash, space garbage, or cosmic debris[2]) are defunct human-made objects in space – principally in Earth …

Your guide to space junk, or space debris, that humans have left in space. What is space junk, where did it come from and how do we get rid of it?

Hundreds of thousands of man-made objects are zipping around our planet—from dead satellites to errant nuts and bolts, putting our working satellites at risk. In 2009, nearly 500 miles above...

Dec 12, 2025 · Space debris, also called space junk, refers to artificial material that orbits Earth but is no longer functional. It includes items as large as discarded rocket stages or as small as …

Sep 6, 2021 · Space junk is any man-made object in orbit around Earth which no longer serves a useful function, posing a risk to space exploration and the environment.

Oct 24, 2025 · Space junk, also called space debris, includes any man-made object orbiting Earth that no longer works. That means dead satellites, used rocket stages, and fragments from past …

Jun 28, 2024 · Here's everything you need to know about space junk, and why scientists are concerned.

Aug 23, 2023 · Discover fascinating facts about space junk, including its origins, impact on space exploration, and the alarming rates of its accumulation.

Apr 30, 2025 · Space debris, or “space junk,” refers to defunct satellites, spent rocket stages and metallic fragments created by the collision, explosion or disintegration of spacecraft. Every …

Feb 7, 2025 · We’re getting more eyes (satellites) on the sky, but we’re also creating an increasing amount of space junk that has scientists on edge. Space junk is anything that …