#spacedebris — Public Fediverse posts

🇨🇳 At a perigee of about 396 kilometers and an apogee of 482, the leftover pieces should reenter the atmosphere within a few years.

The breakups are becoming a pattern for the #LongMarch6 family. A 6A stage from 2022 left 533 catalogued fragments, and a 2024 event produced more than 700 pieces.

#China wrote stage-disposal rules in 2023 that call for deorbiting and passivation of spent hardware, yet the failures keep coming https://spacesecuritynews.com/leolabs-spots-a-chinese-rocket-stage-breaking-up-days-after-launch/

#SpaceDebris

Chinese reconnaissance satellite breaks up in rare retrograde orbit

HELSINKI — A Chinese satellite launched into an unusual orbit early this year has suffered an apparent fragmentation…
#NewsBeep #News #Space #China #debris #LongMarch6A #Science #SN #spacedebris #UK #UnitedKingdom #Yaogansatellites
https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/760352/

https://www.europesays.com/ie/672746/ Chinese reconnaissance satellite breaks up in rare retrograde orbit #China #debris #Éire #IE #Ireland #LongMarch6A #Science #SN #Space #SpaceDebris #YaoganSatellites

Is that all? Only ~1 Ton per week?

Last year, the U.S. Space Force issued alerts for nearly 820 objects entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

“Re-entries happen each and every day,” "Huge objects weighing a metric ton or more arrive about once a week" according the space collision experts.

While much of the debris incinerates in the atmosphere or splashes into the Pacific, but when it does not - it can land anywhere and on one can predict where.

SpaceX indicates ~5% of the mass of some of its satellites may not disintegrate when they "de-orbit". https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/31/world/asia/space-debris-falling-crashing-earth-risk.html?unlocked_article_code=1.11A.WhlN.uAdqod1FWRBC

I wrote about Satellite Collision Avoidance systems here: https://techaptitude.substack.com/p/satellite-collision-avoidance-technology

#Space #SpaceJunk #SpaceDebris #EarthOrbit #LEO #LowEarthOrbit #SSA #SpaceSituationalAwareness #Satellites #Deorbit #FCC #Regulations

"For now, people are more likely to be struck by lightning than by falling space junk. But those odds are shifting. Sean O’Keefe, a former NASA administrator, ... and other experts say that governments and companies should be compelled to use materials that will fully disintegrate. No such regulation exists."

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/31/world/asia/space-debris-falling-crashing-earth-risk.html

#Space #SpaceDebris #SpacePolicy #SpaceLaw #SpaceSustainability

According to the #ESA, 14.5 million kilograms of man-made stuff circles the planet today. Compare that to 11 million kg two years ago and 8.9 million kg in 2020—a 63 percent increase 📈 over the past five years. “ #CollisionAvoidance is a standard practice now for every operator,” says Tim Flohrer, head of the ESA’s #SpaceDebris Office. This November, in Vienna, the #UNOOSA will be hosting a #SpaceLaw conference to tackle space debris removal https://spectrum.ieee.org/kessler-syndrome-space-debris

#SpaceRegulation

Analyst on #China’s spent rocket stages: “Things only continue to get worse”

Spent upper stages are the most dangerous kind of #SpaceDebris.

Eric Berger – May 26, 2026

"Further growth is anticipated from both the company’s state-owned enterprises as well as a rapidly expanding number of private launch companies. There is nothing wrong with this, as China’s rapid growth in launch has been mirrored by the United States and, in particular, SpaceX.

"However there is an issue with these launches, as China appears to be ignoring long-established norms about disposing of the upper stages of rockets. These are the parts of the vehicle that separate from the first stage of a rocket and push a satellite or spacecraft into orbit."

[...]

" 'China… continues to abandon many rocket bodies in high low-Earth orbit,' Shell wrote on LinkedIn early Monday. 'The total mass of orbital debris is a key variable influencing the long-term sustainment of space. There is broad agreement that abandoning rocket body upper stages in long-lived orbits is not a best practice. In fact, all the major space-faring nations have acknowledged this.' ”

Read more:
https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/05/analyst-on-chinas-spent-rocket-stages-things-only-continue-to-get-worse/

#SpaceJunk #KesslerSyndrome #KesslerEffect #Megaconstellations #DarkSkies #SpacePollution #SpaceX #LowEarthOrbit

Canada Updates Space Launch and Re-Entry Regulations in Canada Space Launch Act.

New regulations have strict de-orbiting mandates for controlled re-entries for non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) within five years after operational life.

Includes potential liability for debris affecting Canadian airspace, and Operators must submit debris mitigation plans, register for space situational awareness, and prove compliance. https://satnews.com/2026/04/29/canada-tightens-re-entry-regulations-as-spacex-starlink-constellations-descend/ #Canada #Space #SpaceLaunchAct #Satellites #SpaceCraft #Re_Entry #De_Orbit #SpaceJunk #SpaceDebris #Liability #LowEarthOrbit #NGSO

More reasons to say "No!" to #SpaceX and #Starlink (and other unnecessary satellites!).

SpaceX rocket fireball linked to plume of polluting lithium

Georgina Rannard, Science reporter, February 19, 2025

Excerpts: "When a SpaceX rocket failure set the skies aflame over western Europe last February, no-one was sure if the debris was also polluting our #atmosphere.

"Now scientists are directly linking the uncontrolled rocket re-entry to a plume of #lithium measured less than 100km above Earth.

"It is the first time researchers have drawn a direct link between a known piece of #SpaceDebris crashing to Earth and #pollution levels.

They warn that as SpaceX chief #ElonMusk pledges to launch one million satellites in the coming years, this #contamination could be the tip of the iceberg."

[...]

"Earlier research has suggested that 10% of aerosols in the atmosphere are already contaminated by space debris.

"SpaceX has not responded to emailed requests from BBC News for comment. The researchers also sent their findings to the company but did not receive a response.

"Almost 30,000 pieces of debris are calculated to be free-floating in space, created when rockets break up in space or satellites disintegrate.

"Scientists warn that the debris is congesting space and threatens collision with rockets, the International Space Station, and our planet.

"Musk's SpaceX is the world's leading company for rocket launches including for sending humans into space and maintaining a network of 10,000 Starlink internet satellites.

"Musk recently announced he has applied to launch one million satellites to support #ArtificialIntelligence (#AI) data centres in space.

"Scientists warn that as humans move more activities off-Earth, more debris will fall to Earth, polluting as it plummets."

Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpd8z4eqlxno

#LithiumPollution #AtmosphericPollution #NoAIInSpace #NoDatacentersInSpace #LEO #KesslerEffect #SpaceJunk #DarkSkies #LowerEarthOrbit #LEO #AIBullshitMachines #TechBros #xAI #Technopoly #SpacePollution
#AISucks #DataCenters #SkyNet #KesslerSyndrome #USPol #WorldPol #SpaceNews

#SpaceX gets #FCC approval to launch 7,500 more #Starlink #satellites😱

by Anthony Ha
Sat, January 10, 2026

Excerpt: "The Federal Communications Commission announced Friday that it has given SpaceX approval to launch another 7,500 of its second-generation Starlink satellites, for a total of 15,000 satellites worldwide.

"Beyond simply allowing SpaceX to launch more satellites and expand its high-speed internet coverage, the FCC says its decision also means Starlink satellites can operate across five frequencies to provide direct-to-cell connectivity outside the United States, along with supplemental coverage in the U.S.

"Reuters reports that SpaceX had requested approval for an additional 15,000 satellites, but the FCC said it would 'defer authorization of the remaining 14,988 proposed Gen2 Starlink satellites.'

"SpaceX must launch 50% of the approved Starlink satellites by December 1, 2028, and the remaining 50% by December 2031, the FCC says."

Read more:
https://tech.yahoo.com/science/articles/spacex-gets-fcc-approval-launch-221121996.html

#KesslerSyndrome #SpaceDebris #KesslerEffect #LEO
#DarkSkies #Satellites #SpaceTrash #Landlines #SpacePollution

This will guarantee #KesslerSyndrome sooner than later!😱

As #SpaceX Works Toward 50K #Starlink Satellites, #China Eyes Deploying 200K

China's Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilization and Technological Innovation submits filings for two constellations, each of which could support 96,714 satellites, for a total of 193,428.

Michael Kan, January 12, 2026

Excerpt: "To counter China, the FCC has been expediting and streamlining its satellite approvals. This includes clearing SpaceX to operate another 7,500 satellites for its second-generation constellation. The regulator has also approved plans to operate Starlink satellites at lower orbits, from 340km to 485km. Currently, Starlink has over 9,400 orbiting satellites."

Read more:
https://www.pcmag.com/news/as-spacex-works-toward-50k-starlink-satellites-china-eyes-deploying-200k?test_uuid=04IpBmWGZleS0I0J3epvMrC&test_variant=B

#SpaceDebris #KesslerEffect #LEO
#DarkSkies #Satellites #SpaceTrash #Landlines #SpacePollution

Was an airliner windshield hit by space debris? Not so fast. Another party fesses up to involvement...
https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/windborne-weather-balloon-united-737-incident
#space #aviation #airlines #airlinesafety #spacedebris

🛰️ Satellites sent by SpaceX & Amazon don't just disappear—they burn up in our atmosphere, releasing pollutants that threaten our planet's protective shield. As mega-constellations grow, so do environmental risks. Dive into the details: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-space-orbit-satellites-pollution/ #SpaceDebris #SpacePollution #Climate

Keep creating #SpaceJunk, #Elon! Maybe it's time to send up the #SpaceJanitors, eh?

The #KesslerSyndrome: Crisis in Space Intensifies as Thousands of Satellites Crowd Earth Orbit

by Micah Hanks, May 8, 2025

Excerpt: "Welcome to this week’s installment of The Intelligence Brief… as #SpaceX’s Starlink constellation continues to raise the number of operational satellites in orbit, scientists are raising alarms about the growing threat of #SpaceDebris. In our analysis this week, we’ll be looking at 1) the potential onset of the Kessler Syndrome, 2) how a cascading chain reaction of orbital collisions could jeopardize #satellites, #SpaceStations, and critical infrastructure in space, and 3) what space agencies like NASA and the ESA are doing to mitigate risks through debris removal missions and stricter deorbiting guidelines, amid concerns over whether current efforts will be enough to prevent orbital chaos."

https://thedebrief.org/the-kessler-syndrome-crisis-in-space-intensifies-as-thousands-of-satellites-crowd-earth-orbit/

#Satellites #SpacePollution #KesslerEffect #Starlink #DeadSatellites #DarkSkies

By KIAM-ISON on Telegram (Google Translated)
"On October 31, 2024, one of the objects of space debris resulting from the explosive destruction of Intelsat, missed the American telecommunications satellite « SES-1» at a distance less than 50 meters (which is less than the forecast error built according to ground-based optical measurements).
🔭To date, this is the most dangerous detected event involving fragments of I-33e."

Source: https://t.me/kiam_ison_network/209
#SpaceDebris #Intelsat #Intelsat33E #IS33E

It is a disaster!

ExoAnalytic observes 500 pieces of debris from Intelsat 33e breakup

https://spacenews.com/exoanalytic-observes-500-pieces-of-debris-from-intelsat-33e-breakup/

#SpaceDebris #IS33E #Intelsat33E #Intelsat

(Contd.)

Animation of Intelsat-33E debris spreading out by International Scientific Optical Network (ISON). Unfortunately they appear to post exclusively on Telegram..

Source:
https://t.me/kiam_ison_network/208

#SpaceDebris #Intelsat #IS33E

A Boeing-built communication satellite, Intelsat 33e, has completely failed and disintegrated in orbit. This unexpected event caused significant communication outages across Europe, Africa, and parts of the Asia-Pacific region. The failure underscores the growing concern about space debris and its potential impact on future space missions. #Boeing #SatelliteFailure #SpaceDebris #Intelsat #SpaceExploration #technologyEthics

(Contd.)

This is hairy..

"A significant increase in the number of space objects in the orbital plane of the lost Intelsat 33e telecommunication satellite has been identified. Roscosmos specialists have spotted more than 80 fragments"

https://tass.com/science/1859889

Intelsat is looking to fill the connectivity gap through SES and ISRO satellites.

https://www.spaceintelreport.com/intelsat-asks-fcc-to-ok-use-of-ses-indias-isro-satellites-to-fill-in-flight-connectivity-gap-left-by-is-33e-loss/

#SpaceDebris #Intelsat #IS33E #SES #ISRO #FCC

(Contd.)

Spent stage of Indian rocket that washed up at Australia has found a nice home at Scitech Planetarium in West Perth.

https://www.scitech.org.au/2024/07/space-rocket-debris-lands-at-scitech/

It has a name as well!

'Li-Ligh' which is acronym for 'Left India, Landed in Green Head' 😀

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=972575378236725

#ISRO #Scitech #SpaceDebris #LiLigh #PSLV

Interesante reportaje corto, sobre basura espacial, en el cual he participado. Emitido en televisión #RTVE. Porque el saber no ocupa lugar: #espacio #BasuraEspacial #divulgación #space #SpaceDebris #dissemination #ESA
https://www.rtve.es/play/videos/la-aventura-del-saber/universo-sostenible-basura-espacial/16124830/

🇩🇪 #MarbleImaging multispectral camera 📹 will be used to generate high-resolution #Earth 🌏 observation 👀 data

#BerlinSpace #ElectricPropulsion system for small #satellites 🛰️ for #orbital manoeuvres and #SpaceDebris 🗑️ prevention

#HighPerformance #SpaceStructure Systems brake sail ⛵ to allow a small #satellite 🛰️ to re-enter after the end of its mission to prevent #SpaceDebris 🗑️.

#InSpacePropulsion Technologies qualification of two chemical ⚗️ #propulsion systems with green ✅ propellants ⛽ for small satellites 🛰️ for rendezvous manoeuvres and to avoid #SpaceDebris 🗑️.

#Airbus will test an #ElectricPropulsion system for small #satellites 🛰️ that uses an alternative propellant – iodine.

#QuantumGalactics development trial of a #CyberSecurity 💻 test system to prevent the failure of a #satellite 🛰️ due to cyber-attacks.

#iABG is developing an #AI 💻 payload that ensures the resilience of AI models directly on the sensor or #satellite 🛰️.

https://www.dlr.de/en/latest/news/2023/04/small-satellites-winners-of-three-dlr-competitions-selected

#DLR #German #AerospaceCenter

🇩🇪 German #SpaceAgency, #DLR

• #OroraTech is manufacturing eight micro-#satellites 🛰️ that will fly in formation to monitor forest 🌳🌲 fires 🔥 at one-hour intervals using infrared cameras.

• #TALOS is producing five micro-#satellites 🛰️ for tracking wildlife 🦌 and livestock 🐃 as part of the #ICARUS project.

• #PlanetaryTransportation Systems is producing three miniature #satellites 🛰️ for classifying and processing #Earth 🌍 observation 👀 data in #space using quantum technology.

• #RapidCubes uses four micro-#satellites 🛰️ to test bi-directional #DataCommunication for #InternetOfThings (#IOT) 📶 applications in species 🐻 and nature 🌿conservation.

• #Vyoma is launching a small #satellite 🛰️ for the optical monitoring of #SpaceDebris 🗑️ in the size range of a few centimetres 📏.

• #SmallSatellite Competition https://www.dlr.de/en/latest/news/2023/04/small-satellites-winners-of-three-dlr-competitions-selected

Organizations to build the technology to #deorbit ⤵️ #SpaceDebris 🗑️

• #Astroscale
• #ClearSpace
• #Neuraspace
• #ShareMySpace
• #Airbus
• #Vyoma
• #TransAstra
• #Orbex
• #Kyoto University
• #ESA
• #IAU CPS

https://interestingengineering.com/lists/11-organizations-space-debris-problem

The keyword hashtag list reached 5️⃣5️⃣ 55 entries :

#AsteroidMining
#AsteroidThreat
#CelestialBodyLanding
#DSOC (Deep Space Optical Communications)
#HallEffectThruster
#HumanSpaceflight
#HumanSpaceflightBasics
#HumanSpaceflightHealth
#HumanSpaceflightSecurity
#ISRU (in situ resource utilization)
#LaunchCost
#Lunar3dPrinting
#MoonMining
#PrivateSpaceflight
#ReusableLaunchVehicle
#RocketEngine
#RocketScience
#SatelliteImprovement
#SatelliteInternetAccess
#SBSP (Space-based Solar Power)
#SmallSat
#SpaceAgency
#SpaceCommunication
#SpaceCompany
#SpaceCraft
#SpaceColonization
#SpacecraftComparison
#SpacecraftPropulsion
#SpaceDebris
#SpaceEnergy
#SpaceEvent
#SpaceFood
#SpaceForce
#SpaceHabitat
#SpaceHotel
#SpaceIndustry
#SpaceInfrastructure
#SpaceLogistics
#SpaceMaintenance
#SpaceMining
#SpaceNavigation
#SpacePhotography
#SpacePlants
#SpacePolitics
#SpacePort
#SpaceRegulation
#SpaceRobot
#SpaceScience
#SpaceSciFi
#SpaceStation
#SpaceSuit
#SpaceTelescope
#SpaceTourism
#SpaceWelding
#TimeToOrbit

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This account
@spaceflight (use it to get your related posts boosted)
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#spaceflight #astronauts #radiation #rocket #launch #orbit #satellites #SpaceStation #spaceagency #Garver #Artemis #Ariane #SpaceX #Starship #Starbase #BlueOrigin #NewGlenn #SierraSpace #DreamChaser #asteroid #meteorite #SpaceDebris

Spaceflight-related Mastodon-accounts
@wikiarchives (WikiArchives.Space)
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@kenthebin (ArsTechnica contributor)
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Space news links
https://ellospaceflight.wordpress.com/other-sources
#Science #Reuters #Guardian #Independent #NYT #WashingtonPost #BBC #Politico #SCMP #ArsTechnica #Aerotime #Smithsonian #NASASpaceflight

Space companies, institutions & spaceports
https://industry.openmaps.space
https://taginfo.openstreetmap.org/keys/aerospace:product
https://taginfo.openstreetmap.org/tags/aeroway=spaceport (available in #OsmAnd)
https://taginfo.openstreetmap.org/tags/faculty=aerospace

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