This European Space Agency simulation shows the number of spacecraft currently orbiting the Earth, with many expected to either burn up in the atmosphere, or move to a distant 'graveyard orbit' when they reach end of life. Scientists argue for slowing down satellite launches until international space regulations catch up.
Image: Popular Science By Harry Baker, Published by Live Science, 18 May 2025 The number of satellites orbiting our planet is rising fast, thanks to private "megaconstellations" that pose various threats to space exploration and astronomy. But how big has the problem already become? Not so long ago, at the
Yellow and orange glow mapping radar intensity, overlaying a picture of Kosmos 482. (Fraunhofer FHR) By Michelle Starr, Published by Science Alert, 15 May 2025 More than 50 years ago in the early 1960s, the Soviet space program embarked on a bold new undertaking to go where no human had
The atmospheric reentry process generates extreme heat and mechanical loads, which lead to the satellite's disintegration at the altitude of about 45 miles. (Image credit: ESA) By Kate Ravilious, Published by The Guardian, 1 May 2025 Aluminium emissions from satellites as they fall to Earth and burn up is becoming
The International Space Station has been continuously occupied for over 25 years By Laura M., Published by Union Rayo, 25 April 2029 The International Space Station (ISS) is going through its most complicated stage since it began exploring space in 1998. The safety committee that advises NASA has been very
Fragments can come off spacecraft like satellites and disintegrate into tiny – but dangerous – bits of debris in orbit: European Space Agency / Wikimedia Commons By Abhimanyu Ghoshal, Published by New Atlas, 16 April 2025 We've deployed so many satellites into space over the last few decades that we
The atmospheric reentry process generates extreme heat and mechanical loads, which lead to the satellite's disintegration at the altitude of about 45 miles. (Image credit: ESA) By Minkwan Kim and Ian Williams, Published by The Conversation, 20 March 2025 The world’s first artificial satellite, the Soviet Union’s Sputnik 1, was
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket debris burns up over Ingersleben, Germany on Feb. 19, 2025. (Image credit: Bennett Theile) By Julian Dossett, Published by Space.com, 20 February 2025 The Falcon 9 upper stage failed to deorbit as planned following its Feb. 1 launch. A SpaceX rocket stage fell to Earth early
