Today, Earth is encircled by over 45,000 human-made objects

Today, Earth is encircled by over 45,000 human-made objects — a swarm that makes it hard for astronomers to see stars and that may one day trap us on Earth.

This number includes active and defunct satellites, rocket bodies, and fragments from previous missions.

.Even small debris poses significant threats due to the high velocities involved, potentially damaging operational satellites and endangering crewed missions. ​

The number of satellites over the planet has skyrocketed in recent years, thanks to Starlink's swarms. And increased satellite numbers elevate the chance of collisions. These collisions can generate additional debris, which can then trigger further collisions — a cascading effect known as the Kessler Syndrome.

This scenario could render certain orbital regions unusable and even make space launches entire impossible.

Addressing these issues requires international cooperation to establish and enforce guidelines for responsible satellite deployment and debris mitigation. Initiatives like the European Space Agency's Zero Debris Charter aim to curb the creation of new debris by 2030. ​

learn more

https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Make_Way_for_Satellites

https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/bay-area-astronomers-kessler-syndrome-20007722.php

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