Nearly half of the objects orbiting Earth are classified as space junk, a problem that is worsening with increased satellite launches and orbital infrastructure. According to data from the U.S. Space Force, there are 33,269 trackable objects in orbit, with 17,682 being satellites and the rest being debris like expended rocket bodies. This means about 47% of tracked objects are space junk, and the actual number of inactive objects is likely higher. Space junk has been accumulating since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, and the number of trackable objects increased by 10,000 between 2020 and 2025. Tiny debris, which is difficult to track, poses a significant risk as it travels at high speeds and can damage satellites and space stations. China is responsible for 65% of the debris, while the U.S. and the Commonwealth of Independent States contribute 40% and 23%, respectively. Efforts are underway by various space agencies and private companies to clean up low Earth orbit.
QUESTION: How might the increasing amount of space junk impact future space exploration and satellite technology?
Almost half of the objects in Earth’s orbit are junk—and that’s only the stuff we know about
