ORBITAL DEBRIS

Welcome to Mission Space Junk, where your out of this world adventure begins! Book your trip now and help us clean up the cosmos because even space needs a little spring cleaning. Ready to orbit fun? Let’s launch! 🚀🛰️☄️

BY DIYA BANSAL

WHAT IS SPACE JUNK?

Space junk, also known as orbital debris, consists of millions of defunct human-made objects and nature particles orbiting our planet. This includes non-functional satellites, rocket stages, fragments from satellite collisions or explosions, and even tiny paint flecks shed from spacecraft surfaces. Although these pieces no longer serve any purpose, they continue to travel at incredibly high speeds, often exceeding 17,000 miles per hour, posing a significant risk to operational satellites, the International Space Station, and future space missions. Collisions involving space junk can generate even more debris, creating a cascading effect known as the Kessler Syndrome, which could severely hinder safe access to space and the Earth’s health. Understanding space junk is the first step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities and protecting the vital infrastructure orbiting above us. Ready to navigate the cosmos and find some hidden treasures?

 

Use the See, Think, Wonder method to carefully analyze the image. First, describe in detail what you see happening over time. Next, think about what these changes might mean for our planet and for the future of space exploration. Finally, wonder about the bigger questions the image raises. How much more space debris can Earth’s orbit handle before it starts causing serious damage? And what will be the consequences if we don’t find effective ways to clean it up or prevent it from increasing? Don't forget to record your findings!