The growing problem of space debris

Image Credit: NASA Orbital Debris Program Office

The September 24, 2011 uncontrolled reentry of NASA’s UARS satellite places a spotlight the problem of debris in orbit around Earth.

The September 24, 2011 uncontrolled reentry of NASA’s UARS satellite places a spotlight on a problem that has been building for decades, the problem of debris in orbit around Earth.

The bus-sized Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) satellite plunged to Earth over the Pacific, apparently causing no damage or injuries. Less publicized was another space debris incident – called a “scare” by some – that took place on June 28, 2011, when orbital debris came within a couple of hundred yards of the International Space Station (ISS).

The U.S. Space Surveillance Network tracks roughly 16,000 objects bigger than four inches across, while 19,000 are known to exist.

Meanwhile, according to according to the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office website, there are approximately 500,000 pieces ranging in size between half an inch and four inches (1 to 10 cm), while the total of particles smaller than half an inch “probably exceeds tens of millions.”