Space Junk Threat: Satellites, Space Station, and Astronauts at Risk

This article delves into the escalating issue of space debris and its potential hazards to vital assets like satellites, the International Space Station, and astronauts in orbit. Currently, over 20,000 pieces of debris larger than a softball are orbiting Earth, posing a serious threat due to their high speeds and the potential for significant damage even from small fragments. The article highlights efforts by organizations like NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office and the European Space Agency's Space Situational Awareness Program to track and mitigate the impact of space debris. Furthermore, the article explores the emergence of companies like ClearSpace, a Swiss firm aiming to launch a debris removal mission in 2025, to actively tackle the problem. The article underscores the crucial need for global cooperation and increased awareness to address the escalating space debris problem. With an ever-growing number of satellite launches, the article emphasizes the urgency of collaborative efforts to prevent further accumulation and ensure the safety of future space endeavors.