‘Space Junk’ could pose significant threat to spacecraft, satellites and humans
(InvestigateTV) — Is space truly limitless? It is a question that has been debated for centuries and remains one of the great mysteries of science.
While the limits of space may be debated, the total amount of debris in orbit near Earth is not. Space exploration and travel by the population of Earth have resulted in millions of pieces of debris, including items like discarded spacecraft bolts and defunct satellites.
There is even a red Tesla Roadster mounted to a rocket stage, courtesy of SpaceX’s primary owner, Elon Musk.
According to data from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, only a couple of hundred objects were launched into space as of a decade ago.
In 2024, nearly three thousand objects were launched into orbit.
Also in 2024, a piece of space debris from the International Space Station crashed through a Florida home.
Reporter Heather Graf explains that more close calls could be crashing to Earth in the future as well.
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