As our technological presence in space grows, so does the amount of space junk encircling our planet. These debris, ranging from defunct satellites to lost tools, pose a significant threat to our spacecraft and infrastructure. They can collide with functioning satellites, disrupting communications, navigation systems, and even weather forecasts.
Dr. Alice Gorman, an expert in space archaeology and debris mitigation, explains, “The more objects we launch into space, the greater the probability of collisions. Each collision creates even more debris, leading to a cascading effect.” This ever-growing swarm of space junk poses an increasing risk to our satellites and could eventually limit our ability to explore and utilize space safely.
