What is space junk and why is it a problem?

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" class="no-js"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"/> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"/> <title>What is space junk and why is it a problem? | Natural History Museum</title> <meta name="description" content="Your guide to space junk, or space debris, that humans have left in space. What is space junk, where did it come from and how do we get rid of it?"/> <meta property="og:title" content="What is space junk and why is it a problem?"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Your guide to space junk, or space debris, that humans have left in space. What is space junk, where did it come from and how do we get rid of it?"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/space-debris-full-width.jpg"/> <meta name="twitter:widgets:csp" content="on"/> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@NHM_London"/> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@NHM_London"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="What is space junk and why is it a problem?"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Your guide to space junk, or space debris, that humans have left in space. What is space junk, where did it come from and how do we get rid of it?"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/space-debris-full-width.jpg"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem.html"/> <script src="/etc/clientlibs/nhmwww/jquery.js"></script> <script src="https://assets.adobedtm.com/c2b29812570b/d7d2d2aae38a/launch-e413b49718e8.min.js" async></script> <script> var dataLayerOb = { "event": "pageView", "page": {"path":"/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem.html","site":"main site","siteSearchResultPage":false,"errorPage":false,"articlePage":true,"domain":"www.nhm.ac.uk","transactionPage":false,"title":"What is space junk and why is it a problem? | Natural History Museum","url":"https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem.html"}, "article": {"datePublished":"2019-11-14","primaryHub":"space","articleTitle":"What is space junk and why is it a problem?","dateLastUpdated":"2021-09-03","author":"Jonathan O'Callaghan","likes":"","tags":["feature"]}, "user": {"id2":"","id1":""} }; const pollForAdobeAnalytics = () => { let interval; let timer = 0; const TIME_LIMIT = 60000; interval = setInterval(() => { timer += 10; if (timer > TIME_LIMIT) { clearInterval(interval); console.log("adobe analytics failed to load within one minute") return; } if (window.__satelliteLoaded) { const dataLayerEvent = new CustomEvent("dataLayerEvent", { detail: dataLayerOb }); document.querySelector("body").dispatchEvent(dataLayerEvent); clearInterval(interval); } }, 10) } window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () => { pollForAdobeAnalytics(); } ); </script> <link rel="preload" href="/etc/clientlibs/nhmwww/webfont.css" as="style"> <link rel="preload" href="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-dependencies.css" as="style"> <link rel="preload" href="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site.css" as="style"> <link rel="preload" href="/etc/clientlibs/nhmwww/jquery.js" as="script"> <link rel="preload" href="/etc/clientlibs/nhmwww/lazyload.js" as="script"> <link rel="preload" href="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-foundation.js" as="script"> <link rel="preload" href="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-plugins.js" as="script"> <link rel="preload" href="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-dependencies.js" as="script"> <link rel="preload" href="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site.js" as="script"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, shrink-to-fit=no"/>  <script>dataLayer = [{'primaryHubTag':'space','secondaryTags':['feature'],'datePublished':'2019-11-14','dateLastUpdated':'2021-09-03'}];</script>    <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5TDGNT');</script>  <link rel="stylesheet" href="/etc/clientlibs/nhmwww/webfont.css" type="text/css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-dependencies.css" type="text/css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site.css" type="text/css"> <script> // WR-1042 - YouTube API was loading quicker than page DOM, causing a "YT.Player is not a constructor" error and stopping Discover captions from being displayed on-click. // Moving the YouTube API function into the headlibs allows the API to load quicker and resolves the issues. onYouTubeIframeAPIReady(); </script> <link rel="icon" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" href="/etc/designs/nhmwww/favicon.ico"/> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" href="/etc/designs/nhmwww/favicon.ico"/> </head> <body>  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5TDGNT" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <section class="persistent-alert"> <i class="svg-ico icon--warning" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/warning-outline.svg" data-svg-title="icon__warning" data-alt="Warning" data-base-color="#ffffff" data-stroke-color="#ffffff" data-stroke-width="0"> </i> <div class="persistent-alert__body"></div> </section>  <div class="body-overlay" data-show-cookie-banner-overlay="false"></div> <section id="js-cookie-bar" class="cookie-banner" data-show-cookie-banner="false" data-module="cookie-bar" role="region" aria-label="Cookie preferences banner"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="banner-content"> <div role="heading" aria-level="2" class="banner-content__title"><h3>Accept cookies?</h3> </div> <div class="banner-content__description"><p>We use <a href="/about-us/cookies-on-the-museums-website.html">cook<sup></sup>ies</a>聽to give you the best online experience and to show personalised content and marketing. We use them to improve our website and content as well as to tailor our digital advertising on third-party platforms. You can change your preferences at any time.聽聽</p></div> </div> <div class="banner-actions"> <div class="banner-actions__items"> <a class="banner-actions__link" href="/about-us/cookie-preferences.html">Manage my preferences</a> <form id="cookie-banner-form" method="POST" action="/bin/cookie-preferences"> <button type="submit" class="button button--filled button--grey-dark" title="Accept All cookies">Yes, accept all</button> </form> </div> </div> </div> </section>  <div class="skip-link-container"> <a href="#main-content" class="js-no-scroll skip-to-content button button--filled button--grey-dark">Skip to content</a> </div> <header class="global-header cf"> <div class="megamenu"> <div class="global-header__container row"> <div class="global-header__logo" data-gtm-component="header-logo"> <a href="/" class="global-header__logo-link" aria-label="Natural History Museum Homepage"></a> </div> <button class="global-header__nav-button js--mobile-menu-toggle is-hidden--desktop" aria-label="Mobile navigation toggle" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" onclick="toggleMobileMenu(event)"> <span class="global-header__nav-burger"></span> </button> <div class="global-header__nav-wrapper" data-aria-hidden-desktop="false" data-aria-hidden-mobile="true" > <nav class="global-header__primary-nav" data-gtm-component="header-primary-nav"> <ul class="global-header__primary-nav-items"> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/visit.html" class="global-header__link is-hidden--mobile"> Visit </a> <button aria-label="Open Visit submenu" class="global-header__link--trigger is-hidden--desktop" data-parent-menu=".global-header__nav-wrapper" data-sub-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--visit" onclick="openSubMenu(event)" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" > Visit <i aria-hidden="true" class="ico svg-ico nav-arrow" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.svg" data-svg-title="icon__back" data-alt="Open Visit" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#A8A8A8" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.png"> </i> </button> <div data-gtm-component="header-subnav-visit" class="global-header__nav-item-children global-header__nav-item-children--visit " data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="true" > <div class="global-header__nav-select-container is-hidden--mobile" data-aria-hidden-desktop="false" data-aria-hidden-mobile="true" > <select aria-label="Select Museum location" class="global-header__nav-select" name="visit-home-option" onchange="location = this.value;"> <option value="/content/nhmwww/en/home/visit.html">The Museum at South Kensington</option> <option value="/content/nhmwww/en/home/visit/tring.html">The Museum at Tring</option> </select> </div> <ul class="global-header__primary-nav-items"> <li> <button class="global-header__nav-button global-header__nav-button--back is-hidden--desktop" data-current-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--visit" data-parent-menu=".global-header__nav-wrapper" onclick="closeSubMenu(event)" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" > <i class="ico svg-ico nav-arrow" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_l.svg" data-svg-title="icon__back" data-alt="Close visit" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#A8A8A8" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_l_general_arrow_l.png"> </i> Back </button> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item has-no-margin--desktop"> <button aria-label="Open the Museum at South Kensington submenu" class="global-header__link--trigger is-hidden--desktop" data-parent-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--visit" data-sub-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--visit-south-kensington" onclick="openSubMenu(event)" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" > The Museum at South Kensington <i aria-hidden="true" class="ico svg-ico nav-arrow" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.svg" data-svg-title="icon__back" data-alt="Open The Museum at South Kensington" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#A8A8A8" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.png"> </i> </button> <div class="global-header__nav-item-children global-header__nav-item-children--visit-south-kensington " data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="true" > <ul class="global-header__primary-nav-items"> <li> <button class="global-header__nav-button global-header__nav-button--back is-hidden--desktop" data-current-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--visit-south-kensington" data-parent-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--visit" onclick="closeSubMenu(event)" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" > <i class="ico svg-ico nav-arrow" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_l.svg" data-svg-title="icon__back" data-alt="Close visit" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#A8A8A8" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_l_general_arrow_l.png"> </i> Back </button> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/visit.html" class="is-hidden--desktop global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">The Museum at South Kensington</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/visit/whats-on.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">What's on</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/visit/galleries-and-museum-map.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Explore the Museum</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/visit/access-at-south-kensington.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Access</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <button aria-label="Open the Museum at Tring submenu" class="global-header__link--trigger is-hidden--desktop" data-parent-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--visit" data-sub-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--visit-tring" onclick="openSubMenu(event)" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" > The Museum at Tring <i aria-hidden="true" class="ico svg-ico nav-arrow" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.svg" data-svg-title="icon__back" data-alt="Open The Museum at Tring" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#A8A8A8" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.png"> </i> </button> <div class="global-header__nav-item-children global-header__nav-item-children--visit-tring " data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="true" > <ul class="global-header__primary-nav-items"> <li> <button class="global-header__nav-button global-header__nav-button--back is-hidden--desktop" data-current-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--visit-tring" data-parent-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--visit" onclick="closeSubMenu(event)" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" > <i class="ico svg-ico nav-arrow" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_l.svg" data-svg-title="icon__back" data-alt="Close visit" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#A8A8A8" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_l_general_arrow_l.png"> </i> Back </button> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/visit/tring.html" class="is-hidden--desktop global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">The Museum at Tring</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/visit/tring/whats-on-tring.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">What's on</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/visit/tring/galleries.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Explore the Museum</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/visit/tring/facilities-and-access.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Access</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/discover.html" class="global-header__link is-hidden--mobile is-active--desktop">Discover</a> <button aria-label="Open Discover submenu" class="global-header__link--trigger is-hidden--desktop" data-parent-menu=".global-header__nav-wrapper" data-sub-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--discover" onclick="openSubMenu(event)" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" > Discover <i aria-hidden="true" class="ico svg-ico nav-arrow" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.svg" data-svg-title="icon__back" data-alt="Open Discover" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#A8A8A8" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.png"> </i> </button> <div data-gtm-component="header-subnav-discover" class="global-header__nav-item-children global-header__nav-item-children--discover is-active--desktop" data-aria-hidden-desktop="false" data-aria-hidden-mobile="true" > <ul class="global-header__primary-nav-items"> <li class="is-hidden--desktop" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" > <button class="global-header__nav-button global-header__nav-button--back is-hidden--desktop" data-current-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--discover" data-parent-menu=".global-header__nav-wrapper" onclick="closeSubMenu(event)" > <i class="ico svg-ico nav-arrow" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_l.svg" data-svg-title="icon__back" data-alt="Close discover" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#A8A8A8" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_l_general_arrow_l.png"> </i> Back </button> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/discover.html" class="is-hidden--desktop global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Discover</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/discover/news.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">News</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/discover/anthropocene.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Anthropocene</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/discover/british-wildlife.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">British wildlife</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/discover/collections.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Collections</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/discover/dinosaurs.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Dinosaurs</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/discover/human-evolution.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Human evolution</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/discover/oceans.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Oceans</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/discover/space.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Space</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/discover/what-on-earth.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">What on Earth?</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/discover/video.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Video</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/take-part.html" class="global-header__link">Take part</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/support-us.html" class="global-header__link is-hidden--mobile">Join and support</a> <button aria-label="Open Join and Support submenu" class="global-header__link--trigger is-hidden--desktop" data-parent-menu=".global-header__nav-wrapper" data-sub-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--support-us" onclick="openSubMenu(event)" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" > Join and support <i aria-hidden="true" class="ico svg-ico nav-arrow" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.svg" data-svg-title="icon__back" data-alt="Open Join and Support" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#A8A8A8" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.png"> </i> </button> <div data-gtm-component="header-subnav-support-us" class="global-header__nav-item-children global-header__nav-item-children--support-us " data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="true" > <ul class="global-header__primary-nav-items"> <li class="is-hidden--desktop" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" > <button class="global-header__nav-button global-header__nav-button--back is-hidden--desktop" data-current-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--support-us" data-parent-menu=".global-header__nav-wrapper" onclick="closeSubMenu(event)" > <i class="ico svg-ico nav-arrow" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_l.svg" data-svg-title="icon__back" data-alt="Close support us" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#A8A8A8" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_l_general_arrow_l.png"> </i> Back </button> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/support-us.html" class="is-hidden--desktop global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Join and support</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/support-us/membership.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Membership</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/support-us/give.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Make a donation</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/support-us/patronage.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Patrons</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/support-us/corporate-partnerships.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Corporate partnerships</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="https://www.nhmshop.co.uk" class="global-header__link">Shop</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/schools.html" class="global-header__link">Schools</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/our-science.html" class="global-header__link">Our science</a> <button aria-label="Open Our science submenu" class="global-header__link--trigger is-hidden--desktop is-hidden--mobile" data-parent-menu=".global-header__nav-wrapper" data-sub-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--deworm3" onclick="openSubMenu(event)" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" > <i aria-hidden="true" class="ico svg-ico nav-arrow" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.svg" data-svg-title="icon__back" data-alt="Open Discover" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#A8A8A8" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.png"> </i> </button> <div class="global-header__nav-item-children global-header__nav-item-children--deworm3 " data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="true" > <ul class="global-header__primary-nav-items"> <li> <button class="global-header__nav-button global-header__nav-button--back is-hidden--desktop" data-current-menu=".global-header__nav-item-children--deworm3" data-parent-menu=".global-header__nav-wrapper" onclick="closeSubMenu(event)" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="false" > <i class="ico svg-ico nav-arrow" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_l.svg" data-svg-title="icon__back" data-alt="Close Deworm3" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#A8A8A8" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_l_general_arrow_l.png"> </i> Back </button> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/our-science/our-work/sustainability/deworm3.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Deworm3</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/our-science/our-work/sustainability/deworm3/about.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">About</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/our-science/our-work/sustainability/deworm3/who-we-are.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Who we are</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/our-science/our-work/sustainability/deworm3/objectives.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Objectives</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/our-science/our-work/sustainability/deworm3/intervention.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Achievements</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/our-science/our-work/sustainability/deworm3/research-tool-kit.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Research tool kit</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/our-science/our-work/sustainability/deworm3/publications.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">Publications</a> </li> <li class="global-header__primary-nav-item"> <a href="/our-science/our-work/sustainability/deworm3/news.html" class="global-header__link" data-gtm="subnav-link">News</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> <nav class="global-header__secondary-nav" data-gtm-component="header-secondary-nav"> <ul class="global-header__secondary-nav-items"> <li class="global-header__secondary-nav-item"> <button type="button" class="button global-header__button" onclick="openSearchPanel()" > <i aria-hidden="true" class="ico svg-ico" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_search.svg" data-svg-title="icon__search" data-alt="Open Search Panel" data-base-color="#000000" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/icons/icon_search.png"> </i> Search </button> </li> <li class="global-header__secondary-nav-item"> <a href="/support-us/membership.html" class="button global-header__button" data-gtm="header-button">Membership</a> </li> <li class="global-header__secondary-nav-item"> <a href="/support-us/make-a-donation.html" class="button button--filled button--yellow button--small global-header__button" data-gtm="header-button">Donate</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="search-panel" data-aria-hidden-desktop="true" data-aria-hidden-mobile="true" data-gtm-component="header-search" > <div class="row search-panel__container"> <div class="search-panel__form"> <form action="//www.nhm.ac.uk/search.html" method="get" class="global-header--search-bar__form" role="search"> <div class="large-6 small-6 columns"> <input type="text" name="q" id="searchBar" placeholder="Enter your search terms" class="search-panel__form-input" aria-label="Search box"> </div> <div class="large-2 small-4 columns"> <button class="button button--hollow button--white button--small search-panel__button" aria-label="Search">Search</button> </div> </form> </div> <div class="search-panel__popular"> <p role="heading" aria-level="1" class="search-panel__popular-title">Popular search terms:</p> <ul class="search-panel__popular-items"> <li class="search-panel__popular-item"> <a class="search-panel__popular-link" href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/british-wildlife.html">British wildlife</a> </li> <li class="search-panel__popular-item"> <a class="search-panel__popular-link" href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year.html">Wildlife Photographer of the Year</a> </li> <li class="search-panel__popular-item"> <a class="search-panel__popular-link" href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dinosaurs.html">Dinosaurs</a> </li> <li class="search-panel__popular-item"> <a class="search-panel__popular-link" href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/space.html">Space</a> </li> <li class="search-panel__popular-item"> <a class="search-panel__popular-link" href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/galleries-and-museum-map.html">Explore the Museum</a> </li> </ul> </div> <button class="search-panel__close-trigger" onclick="closeSearchPanel()" aria-label="Close search"> <i class="ico svg-ico search-panel__icon--close" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_close.svg" data-svg-title="icon__search_panel_close" data-alt="Close search panel" data-stroke-width="10" data-base-color="#EEEEEE" height="24" width="24" data-fallback="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/mobile-menu.png"></i> </button> </div> </div> </div> </header> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/components/fragments/universalbanner/clientlibs.css" type="text/css"> <script src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/components/fragments/universalbanner/clientlibs.js"></script> </meta> <div class="horizontalnav" data-gtm-component="horizontal-nav" id="hide-me-horizontalnav"> <button data-gtm-component="horizontal-nav-next-btn" data-horizontalnav-prev="true" data-hidden="true"> <svg width="9" height="16" viewBox="0 0 9 16" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M8.73965 0.26035C9.08678 0.607482 9.08678 1.1703 8.73965 1.51743L2.25708 8L8.73965 14.4826C9.08678 14.8297 9.08678 15.3925 8.73965 15.7397C8.39252 16.0868 7.8297 16.0868 7.48257 15.7397L0.37146 8.62854C0.0243273 8.28141 0.0243273 7.71859 0.37146 7.37146L7.48257 0.26035C7.8297 -0.0867832 8.39252 -0.0867832 8.73965 0.26035Z" fill="#565656"/> </svg> </button> <ul class="horizontalnav__list"> <li> <a href="/discover.html" aria-label="Navigate to Discover landing page"> Discover </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/news.html" aria-label="Navigate to the News page"> News </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/anthropocene.html" aria-label="Navigate to the Anthropocene page"> Anthropocene </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/british-wildlife.html" aria-label="Navigate to the British Wildlife page"> British Wildlife </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/collections.html" aria-label="Navigate to the Collections page"> Collections </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/dinosaurs.html" aria-label="Navigate to the Dinosaurs page"> Dinosaurs </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/human-evolution.html" aria-label="Navigate to the Human Evolution page"> Human evolution </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/oceans.html" aria-label="Navigate to the Ocean page"> Oceans </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/what-on-earth.html" aria-label="Navigate to the What on Earth? page"> What on Earth? </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/video.html" aria-label="Navigate to the Video page"> Video </a> </li> </ul> <button data-gtm-component="horizontal-nav-prev-btn" data-horizontalnav-next="true" data-hidden="true"> <svg width="9" height="16" viewBox="0 0 9 16" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M0.26035 0.26035C-0.0867832 0.607482 -0.0867832 1.1703 0.26035 1.51743L6.74292 8L0.26035 14.4826C-0.0867832 14.8297 -0.0867832 15.3925 0.26035 15.7397C0.607482 16.0868 1.1703 16.0868 1.51743 15.7397L8.62854 8.62854C8.97567 8.28141 8.97567 7.71859 8.62854 7.37146L1.51743 0.26035C1.1703 -0.0867832 0.607482 -0.0867832 0.26035 0.26035Z" fill="#565656"/> </svg> </button> </div> <section class="subnav" data-gtm-component="subsectionnav">  <button class="subnav-button repel" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Open Discover sub navigation"> <div class="subnav-button__content cluster"> <p class="subnav-button__title">Discover</p> <div class="subnav-button__icon"> <svg width="12" height="8" viewBox="0 0 12 8" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M11.8047 0.695262C11.5444 0.434913 11.1223 0.434913 10.8619 0.695262L6 5.55719L1.13807 0.695262C0.877721 0.434913 0.455612 0.434913 0.195261 0.695262C-0.0650883 0.955612 -0.0650883 1.37772 0.195261 1.63807L5.5286 6.9714C5.78894 7.23175 6.21105 7.23175 6.4714 6.9714L11.8047 1.63807C12.0651 1.37772 12.0651 0.955612 11.8047 0.695262Z" fill="#333333"/> </svg> </div> </div> </button>  <ul class="subnav-dropdown" data-active="false" aria-hidden="true"> <li> <a href="/discover.html" aria-label="Navigate to Discover landing page"> <h3>Discover</h3> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/news.html" aria-label="Navigate to the News page"> <p>News</p> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/anthropocene.html" aria-label="Navigate to the Anthropocene page"> <p>Anthropocene</p> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/british-wildlife.html" aria-label="Navigate to the British Wildlife page"> <p>British Wildlife</p> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/collections.html" aria-label="Navigate to the Collections page"> <p>Collections</p> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/dinosaurs.html" aria-label="Navigate to the Dinosaurs page"> <p>Dinosaurs</p> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/human-evolution.html" aria-label="Navigate to the Human Evolution page"> <p>Human evolution</p> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/oceans.html" aria-label="Navigate to the Ocean page"> <p>Oceans</p> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/what-on-earth.html" aria-label="Navigate to the What on Earth? page"> <p>What on Earth?</p> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/video.html" aria-label="Navigate to the Video page"> <p>Video</p> </a> </li> </ul> </section> <div id="main-content" class="main-section discover"> <div class="main-section"> <div class="article"> </meta> <div> <div class="layout-row discover-image" data-columns="flush"> <figure role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/space-debris-full-width.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/space-debris-full-width.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 768px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/space-debris-full-width.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/space-debris-full-width.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 769px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/space-debris-full-width.jpg.placeholder.1160.1160.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/space-debris-full-width.jpg.thumb.1160.1160.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/space-debris-full-width.jpg.placeholder.1160.1160.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/space-debris-full-width.jpg.thumb.1160.1160.jpg" alt="Representation of space junk encircling Earth"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="articlepage--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="articlepage--caption"> <p>Thousands of dead satellites are currently orbiting Earth, as well as tens of thousands of fragments of space debris 漏 ESA/ID&Sense/ONiRiXEL (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO</a>), cropped from <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2017/03/Space_Debris" target="_blank">original</a></p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div>  <button id="saved-articles__modal-open" class="saved-articles__bookmark" aria-label="Open saved articles list"> <div class="bookmark-wrapper"> <svg fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke="currentColor"> <path fill="#000" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M5 5a2 2 0 012-2h10a2 2 0 012 2v16l-7-3.5L5 21V5z"/> </svg> <span class="bookmark-badge" id="badge__count"></span> </div> </button>  <div id="saved-articles__overlay" class="saved-articles__overlay" data-state="closed"> <div class="saved-articles__modal" data-gtm-component="saved-articles-modal" aria-modal="true"> <div class="saved-articles" id="saved-articles__modal">  <div class="saved-articles__header-wrapper"> <h3 class="saved-articles__header-title"> Read later <span id="saved-articles__count"></span> </h3> <div class="saved-articles__close-wrapper"> <button aria-label="Close" id="saved-articles__modal-close" type="button" class="saved-articles__close-button">Close</button> </div> </div>  <div class="beta-container"> <div> <span class="beta-badge">Beta</span> </div> <div> <p>During <a class="beta-link" href="/about-us/beta-testing.html">Beta testing</a> articles may only be saved for seven days. </p> </div> </div>  <div class="modal__details"> <ul class="saved-articles__list" id="saved-articles__list"></ul> <div id="saved-articles__empty"> <div class="text-content"> <p>Create a list of articles to read later. You will be able to access your list from any article in Discover.</p> <p>You don't have any saved articles.</p> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="saved-articles__footer-wrapper"> <button id="saved-articles__save-button" type="button" class="saved-articles__add-to-list">+ add current article to list</button> </div> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="section"> <div class="layout-row" data-columns="21">  <div class="article layout-column"> <div class="article--tags-header" data-gtm-component="hub-header"> <a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/space.html">SPACE</a> </div> <h1 class="article--title-header">What is space junk and why is it a problem?</h1> <div class="article--secondary-info flow"> <div class="article--meta-container"> <div class="article--meta-author">By Jonathan O'Callaghan</div> </div> <div class="cluster"> <div class="social-icons-list"> <div class="social-share--container"> <div class="social-share--icons cluster"> <div class="facebook social-share--icon--container"> <a aria-label="Share on facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <svg width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 28 28" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="social-share--icon"> <circle cx="14" cy="14" r="14" fill="#333333"/> <path d="M15.1783 21.9729V15.143H17.5302L17.882 12.4813H15.1783V10.7824C15.1783 10.0119 15.398 9.48656 16.5315 9.48656L17.9776 9.4859V7.10507C17.7275 7.07269 16.8692 7 15.8705 7C13.7858 7 12.358 8.24031 12.358 10.5181V12.4813H10V15.143H12.358V21.9729H15.1783Z" fill="white"/> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="twitter social-share--icon--container"> <a aria-label="Share on twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=What%20is%20space%20junk%20and%20why%20is%20it%20a%20problem?%0Ahttps://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <svg width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 28 28" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <circle cx="14" cy="14" r="14" fill="#333333"/> <path d="M22.1667 9.68591C21.6087 9.94384 21.0089 10.1176 20.3795 10.1959C21.0222 9.79514 21.5158 9.16018 21.7477 8.4035C21.1467 8.7746 20.4806 9.04438 19.7716 9.18979C19.2047 8.5601 18.3952 8.16663 17.5004 8.16663C15.4914 8.16663 14.0152 10.1182 14.469 12.1441C11.8837 12.0093 9.59097 10.7196 8.05598 8.75947C7.24077 10.2156 7.63321 12.1205 9.01843 13.0851C8.50908 13.068 8.02881 12.9225 7.60983 12.6797C7.5757 14.1806 8.60893 15.5847 10.1054 15.8973C9.66744 16.021 9.18779 16.0499 8.69993 15.9526C9.09553 17.2396 10.2444 18.1759 11.6069 18.2022C10.2988 19.2701 8.65064 19.7472 7 19.5445C8.37701 20.4637 10.0131 21 11.7699 21C17.5472 21 20.8111 15.9197 20.614 11.3631C21.2219 10.9058 21.7496 10.3353 22.1667 9.68591V9.68591Z" fill="white"/> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="email social-share--icon--container"> <a aria-label="Share by email" href="mailto:?subject=What%20is%20space%20junk%20and%20why%20is%20it%20a%20problem?&body=http%3A//www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem"> <svg width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 28 28" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="social-share--icon"> <circle cx="14" cy="14" r="14" fill="#333333"/> <path d="M22.9269 8.40756C22.9269 8.40756 22.7861 7.08155 21.4675 7.00002C21.1491 7.00002 10.0223 7.00002 10.0223 7.00002H6.51115C6.51115 7.00002 5.16957 6.9768 5.01465 8.40756C5.02208 8.415 9.39591 12.9117 9.39591 12.9117L11.0682 14.6305L12.0205 15.4899C12.0205 15.4899 13.5535 16.8602 15.2302 15.9268C15.2302 15.9268 15.4581 15.815 15.9266 15.4009C16.4092 14.974 20.4602 10.8598 20.4602 10.8598C20.4602 10.8598 22.8751 8.43729 22.9269 8.40756Z" fill="white"/> <path d="M22.9409 10.0391V17.047L19.4297 13.5505L22.9409 10.0391Z" fill="white"/> <path d="M5 10.0391V17.047L8.51142 13.5505L5 10.0391Z" fill="white"/> <path d="M9.33304 14.3785L11.0911 16.1402C11.0911 16.1402 11.8808 16.8758 12.2524 17.0073C12.2601 17.0229 14.0253 17.9364 15.8835 16.8835C15.8911 16.8758 16.3868 16.6124 17.4009 15.5751C18.4152 14.5376 18.5778 14.375 18.5778 14.375L22.9135 18.6875L22.9367 18.7184C22.9367 18.7184 22.805 20.0732 21.4346 20.0888C20.0643 20.1043 6.66243 20.0964 6.66243 20.0964C6.66243 20.0964 5.20681 20.1738 5.021 18.7028L9.33304 14.3785Z" fill="white"/> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-gtm-component="like-button-top" class="article-likes-container"> <div class="like-container" data-page-path="/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem"> <a href="#" aria-label="Clap button for article likes" class="like-button-link" tabindex="0"> <span class="clap-svg"></span> <span aria-label="0 article likes" class="like-count js-like-count">0</span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="article--introduction"><p>Since the dawn of the space age in the 1950s, we have launched thousands of rockets and sent even more satellites into orbit. Many are still there, and we face an ever-increasing risk of collision as we launch more.</p> </div> <div class="article--content"> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>As long as humans have been exploring space, we've also been creating a bit of a mess. Orbiting our planet are thousands of dead satellites, along with bits of debris from all the rockets we've launched over the years. This could pose an issue one day.</p> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <h2>What is space junk?</h2> <p>Space junk, or space debris, is any piece of machinery or debris left by humans in space.</p> <p>It can refer to big objects such as dead satellites that have failed or been left in orbit at the end of their mission. It can also refer to smaller things, like bits of debris or paint flecks that have fallen off a rocket.</p> <p>Some human-made junk has been left on the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/factfile-the-moon.html" target="_self">Moon</a>, too.</p> </div> </div> <div class="nhm-video parbase section"> <h3>GoPro video of a rocket separating</h3> <div class="video-wrapper" data-nhm-videoid="bDoh8zQDT38"> <div id="bDoh8zQDT38" class="youtubeplayer" style="display: block"></div> </div> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "GoPro video of a rocket separating", "description": "Rockets can release lots of little bits of debris like paint flecks when they reach space, as seen in this GoPro video.", "thumbnailUrl": "https://img.youtube.com/vi/bDoh8zQDT38/mqdefault.jpg", "uploadDate": "2019-11-07T00:00:00.000Z", "contentUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDoh8zQDT38" } </script> <div class="video--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="video--caption"> <p>Rockets can release lots of little bits of debris like paint flecks when they reach space, as seen in this GoPro video<br /> 聽</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <h2>How much space junk is there?</h2> <p>While there are about 2,000 active satellites orbiting Earth at the moment, there are also 3,000 dead ones littering space. What's more, there are around 34,000 pieces of space junk bigger than 10 centimetres in size and millions of smaller pieces that could nonetheless prove disastrous if they hit something else.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/sputnik-satellite-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/sputnik-satellite-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/sputnik-satellite-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/sputnik-satellite-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/sputnik-satellite-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/sputnik-satellite-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Sputnik 1 satellite, a sphere with four whip antennas"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>The world's first satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957. Credit: NSSDC, NASA via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sputnik_asm.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a>.</p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <h2>How does space junk get into space?</h2> <p>All space junk is the result of us launching objects from Earth, and it remains in orbit until it re-enters the atmosphere.</p> <p>Some objects in lower orbits of a few hundred kilometres can return quickly. They often re-enter the atmosphere after a few years and, for the most part, they'll burn up - so they don't reach the ground. But debris or satellites left at higher altitudes of 36,000 kilometres - where communications and weather satellites are often placed in geostationary orbits - can continue to circle Earth for hundreds or even thousands of years.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/spacex-arabsat6a-mission-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/spacex-arabsat6a-mission-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/spacex-arabsat6a-mission-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/spacex-arabsat6a-mission-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/spacex-arabsat6a-mission-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/spacex-arabsat6a-mission-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Arabsat-6A mission launch"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>More than 5,000 rocket launches have placed satellites in orbit since the start of the space age in 1957 漏 SpaceX (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-NC 2.0</a>) via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/spacex/40628438523/" target="_blank">Flickr</a></p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>Some space junk results from collisions or anti-satellite tests in orbit. When two satellites collide, they can smash apart into thousands of new pieces, creating lots of new debris. This is rare, but several countries including the USA, China and India have used missiles to practice <a href="https://www.space.com/india-anti-satellite-test-significance.html" target="_blank" aria-describedby="new-window">blowing up their own satellites</a>. This creates thousands of new pieces of dangerous debris.</p> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <h2>What risks does space junk pose to space exploration?</h2> <p>Fortunately, at the moment, space junk doesn't pose a huge risk to our exploration efforts. The biggest danger it poses is to other satellites in orbit.</p> <p>These satellites have to move out of the way of all this incoming space junk to make sure they don't get hit and potentially damaged or destroyed.</p> <p>In total, across all satellites, hundreds of collision avoidance manoeuvres are performed every year, including by the International Space Station (ISS), where astronauts live.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/international-space-station-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/international-space-station-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/international-space-station-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/international-space-station-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/international-space-station-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/international-space-station-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="View from space of the ISS in front of Earth"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>The ISS has to carry out collision avoidance manoeuvres to avoid getting damaged by space junk. Credit: <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1314.html" target="_blank">NASA</a>.</p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>Fortunately, collisions are rare: a <a href="https://www.space.com/space-junk-collision-chinese-satellite-yunhai-1-02" target="_blank" aria-describedby="new-window">Chinese satellite broke up in March 2021</a> after a collision. Before that,聽the聽<a href="https://spacenews.com/u-s-satellite-destroyed-in-space-collision/" target="_blank" aria-describedby="new-window">last satellite to collide and be destroyed by space junk was in 2009</a>. And when it comes to exploring beyond Earth's orbit, none of the limited amount of space junk out there poses a problem.</p> </div> </div> <div class="headertextimage parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="hti" class="hti-wrapper " data-equalizer-watch > <div class="hti-box end columns hti-box__light-grey small-12 medium-12 large-12 " data-equalizer-watch > <div class="small-12 medium-12 large-12 columns hti-box--text-wrapper" > <h3> Space junk in numbers </h3> <p>2,000 active satellites in Earth's orbit</p> <p>3,000 dead satellites in Earth's orbit</p> <p>34,000 pieces of space junk larger than 10 centimetres</p> <p>128 million pieces of space junk larger than 1 millimetre</p> <p>One in 10,000: risk of collision that will require debris avoidance manoeuvres</p> <p>25 debris avoidance manoeuvres by the ISS since 1999</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <h2>How can we clean up space junk?</h2> <p>The United Nations ask that all companies remove their satellites from orbit within 25 years after the end of their mission. This is tricky to enforce, though, because satellites can (and often do) fail. To tackle this problem, several companies around the world have come up with novel solutions.</p> <p>These include removing dead satellites from orbit and dragging them back into the atmosphere, where they will burn up. Ways we could do this include using a harpoon to grab a satellite, <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2018/september/net-to-catch-space-debris-around-earth-is-successfully-deployed.html">catching it in a huge net</a>, using magnets to grab it, or even firing lasers to heat up the satellite, increasing its atmospheric drag so that it falls out of orbit.</p> </div> </div> <div class="nhm-video parbase section"> <h3>RemoveDEBRIS mission</h3> <div class="video-wrapper" data-nhm-videoid="RvgctXXzIYA"> <div id="RvgctXXzIYA" class="youtubeplayer" style="display: block"></div> </div> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "RemoveDEBRIS mission", "description": "In 2018, Surrey Satellite Technology's RemoveDEBRIS mission practiced grabbing a satellite with a giant net. Watch the footage from Surrey Nanosats SSC Mission Delivery Team.", "thumbnailUrl": "https://img.youtube.com/vi/RvgctXXzIYA/mqdefault.jpg", "uploadDate": "2019-11-07T00:00:00.000Z", "contentUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvgctXXzIYA" } </script> <div class="video--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="video--caption"> <p>In 2018, Surrey Satellite Technology's RemoveDEBRIS mission practiced grabbing a satellite with a giant net. Watch the footage from Surrey Nanosats SSC Mission Delivery Team.<br /> 聽</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>However, these methods are only useful for large satellites orbiting Earth. There isn't really a way for us to pick up smaller pieces of debris such as bits of paint and metal. We just have to wait for them to naturally re-enter Earth's atmosphere.</p> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <h2>What is the Kessler syndrome?</h2> <p>This is an idea proposed by NASA scientist Donald Kessler in 1978. He said that if there was too much space junk in orbit, it could result in a chain reaction where more and more objects collide and create new space junk in the process, to the point where Earth's orbit became unusable.</p> <p>This situation would be extreme, but some experts worry that a variant of this could be a problem one day, and steps should be taken to avoid it ever happening. This idea was also popularised in the movie Gravity.</p> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <h2>Will space junk be a problem in the future?</h2> <p>It could well be. Several companies are planning vast new groups of satellites, called <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-starlink-could-cause-cascades-of-space-junk/" target="_blank" aria-describedby="new-window">mega constellations</a>, that will beam internet down to Earth. These companies, which include SpaceX and Amazon, plan to launch thousands of satellites to achieve global satellite internet coverage. If successful, there could be an additional 50,000 satellites in orbit. This also means a lot more collision avoidance manoeuvres will need to be done.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/spacex-starlink-satellite-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/spacex-starlink-satellite-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/spacex-starlink-satellite-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/spacex-starlink-satellite-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/spacex-starlink-satellite-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/spacex-starlink-satellite-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="A stack of Starlink broadband data satellites"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>SpaceX's Starlink satellites are among several planned mega constellations of satellites 漏 SpaceX (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-NC 2.0</a>), via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/spacex/47926144123/" target="_blank">Flickr</a></p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>In September 2019, the <a href="https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1168536038601572353" target="_blank" aria-describedby="new-window">European Space Agency performed its first satellite manoeuvre to avoid colliding with a mega constellation</a>. It is unusual to have to avoid active satellites.</p> <p>By making sure that satellites are removed from orbit in a reasonable amount of time once they are no longer active, we can mitigate the problem of space junk in the future.</p> <p>Earth's orbit allows us to study our planet, send communications and more. It's important that we use it sustainably, allowing future generations to enjoy its benefits, too.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class=" flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/full-moon-narrow-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/full-moon-narrow-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/full-moon-narrow-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/full-moon-narrow-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/full-moon-narrow-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk/full-moon-narrow-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Full Moon"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>Humans have intentionally and unintentionally left things on the Moon.聽Credit: R Karkowski, via Pixabay.</p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="headertextimage parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="hti" class="hti-wrapper " data-equalizer-watch > <div class="hti-box end columns hti-box__light-grey small-12 medium-12 large-12 " data-equalizer-watch > <div class="small-12 medium-12 large-12 columns hti-box--text-wrapper" > <h3> Things left on the Moon </h3> <p>Not only have we left a lot of space junk in Earth's orbit, there are objects elsewhere too, such as on the lunar surface. Some things were abandoned on the Moon, but others were placed there as mementos or time capsules. Here are some fast facts about what's been left on the Moon:</p> <p>Three Moon buggies from Apollo 15, 16 and 17</p> <p>54 uncrewed probes that have crashed or landed on the Moon</p> <p>190,000 kilograms of material left by humans on the Moon</p> <h4>The first spacecraft and probes left on the Moon by different countries:</h4> <p>1959: Luna 2 (USSR)</p> <p>1969: Ranger 4 (USA)</p> <p>1993: Hiten (Japan)</p> <p>2006: SMART-1 (Europe)</p> <p>2008: Chandrayaan-1 (India)</p> <p>2009: Chang'e-1 (China)</p> <p>2019: Beresheet (Israel)</p> <h4>Some other strange objects left on the Moon:</h4> <p>1969: a golden olive branch (Apollo 11)</p> <p>1969: art by Andy Warhol (Apollo 12)</p> <p>1971: three golf balls (Apollo 14)</p> <p>1971: a falcon feather (Apollo 15)</p> <p>1972: a photograph of astronaut Charles Duke's family (Apollo 16)</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="article--footer">  <div class="cluster ga-scroll-event-target"> <div class="social-icons-list"> <div class="social-share--container"> <div class="social-share--icons cluster"> <div class="facebook social-share--icon--container"> <a aria-label="Share on facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <svg width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 28 28" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="social-share--icon"> <circle cx="14" cy="14" r="14" fill="#333333"/> <path d="M15.1783 21.9729V15.143H17.5302L17.882 12.4813H15.1783V10.7824C15.1783 10.0119 15.398 9.48656 16.5315 9.48656L17.9776 9.4859V7.10507C17.7275 7.07269 16.8692 7 15.8705 7C13.7858 7 12.358 8.24031 12.358 10.5181V12.4813H10V15.143H12.358V21.9729H15.1783Z" fill="white"/> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="twitter social-share--icon--container"> <a aria-label="Share on twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=What%20is%20space%20junk%20and%20why%20is%20it%20a%20problem?%0Ahttps://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <svg width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 28 28" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <circle cx="14" cy="14" r="14" fill="#333333"/> <path d="M22.1667 9.68591C21.6087 9.94384 21.0089 10.1176 20.3795 10.1959C21.0222 9.79514 21.5158 9.16018 21.7477 8.4035C21.1467 8.7746 20.4806 9.04438 19.7716 9.18979C19.2047 8.5601 18.3952 8.16663 17.5004 8.16663C15.4914 8.16663 14.0152 10.1182 14.469 12.1441C11.8837 12.0093 9.59097 10.7196 8.05598 8.75947C7.24077 10.2156 7.63321 12.1205 9.01843 13.0851C8.50908 13.068 8.02881 12.9225 7.60983 12.6797C7.5757 14.1806 8.60893 15.5847 10.1054 15.8973C9.66744 16.021 9.18779 16.0499 8.69993 15.9526C9.09553 17.2396 10.2444 18.1759 11.6069 18.2022C10.2988 19.2701 8.65064 19.7472 7 19.5445C8.37701 20.4637 10.0131 21 11.7699 21C17.5472 21 20.8111 15.9197 20.614 11.3631C21.2219 10.9058 21.7496 10.3353 22.1667 9.68591V9.68591Z" fill="white"/> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="email social-share--icon--container"> <a aria-label="Share by email" href="mailto:?subject=What%20is%20space%20junk%20and%20why%20is%20it%20a%20problem?&body=http%3A//www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem"> <svg width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 28 28" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="social-share--icon"> <circle cx="14" cy="14" r="14" fill="#333333"/> <path d="M22.9269 8.40756C22.9269 8.40756 22.7861 7.08155 21.4675 7.00002C21.1491 7.00002 10.0223 7.00002 10.0223 7.00002H6.51115C6.51115 7.00002 5.16957 6.9768 5.01465 8.40756C5.02208 8.415 9.39591 12.9117 9.39591 12.9117L11.0682 14.6305L12.0205 15.4899C12.0205 15.4899 13.5535 16.8602 15.2302 15.9268C15.2302 15.9268 15.4581 15.815 15.9266 15.4009C16.4092 14.974 20.4602 10.8598 20.4602 10.8598C20.4602 10.8598 22.8751 8.43729 22.9269 8.40756Z" fill="white"/> <path d="M22.9409 10.0391V17.047L19.4297 13.5505L22.9409 10.0391Z" fill="white"/> <path d="M5 10.0391V17.047L8.51142 13.5505L5 10.0391Z" fill="white"/> <path d="M9.33304 14.3785L11.0911 16.1402C11.0911 16.1402 11.8808 16.8758 12.2524 17.0073C12.2601 17.0229 14.0253 17.9364 15.8835 16.8835C15.8911 16.8758 16.3868 16.6124 17.4009 15.5751C18.4152 14.5376 18.5778 14.375 18.5778 14.375L22.9135 18.6875L22.9367 18.7184C22.9367 18.7184 22.805 20.0732 21.4346 20.0888C20.0643 20.1043 6.66243 20.0964 6.66243 20.0964C6.66243 20.0964 5.20681 20.1738 5.021 18.7028L9.33304 14.3785Z" fill="white"/> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-gtm-component="like-button-top" class="article-likes-container"> <div class="like-container" data-page-path="/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem"> <a href="#" aria-label="Clap button for article likes" class="like-button-link" tabindex="0"> <span class="clap-svg"></span> <span aria-label="0 article likes" class="like-count js-like-count">0</span> </a> </div> </div> </div> <hr class="article--hr-footer"/> <div class="article--tags-footer"> <ul data-gtm-component="article-tags"> <li> <a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/features.html">Feature</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/space.html">Space</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="article--sidebar layout-column"> <div class="headertextimage parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="hti" class="hti-wrapper hti-padding " > <div class="hti--image-wrapper columns small-12 medium-12 large-12 " > <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/mercury-facts/space-hub-hti-top-wide-v1.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/mercury-facts/space-hub-hti-top-wide-v1.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 768px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/mercury-facts/space-hub-hti-top-wide-v1.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/mercury-facts/space-hub-hti-top-wide-v1.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" /> <source media="(min-width: 769px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/mercury-facts/space-hub-hti-top-wide-v1.jpg.placeholder.1160.1160.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/mercury-facts/space-hub-hti-top-wide-v1.jpg.thumb.1160.1160.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/mercury-facts/space-hub-hti-top-wide-v1.jpg.placeholder.1160.1160.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/mercury-facts/space-hub-hti-top-wide-v1.jpg.thumb.1160.1160.jpg" alt=""/> </picture> </div> <div class="hti-box end columns hti-box__light-grey small-12 medium-12 large-12 " > <div class="small-12 medium-12 large-12 columns hti-box--text-wrapper" data-equalizer-watch > <h3> <a href="/discover/space.html"> Explore space </a> </h3> <p>Discover more about the natural world beyond Earth's stratosphere.<br /> </p> </div> <div class="small-11 medium-11 large-11 columns right ctabutton--inside-hti"> <a href="/discover/space.html" data-gtm="CTA"> <div class="small-2 medium-2 large-2 columns"></div> <div class="small-7 medium-7 large-7 columns"> <h3 class="ctabutton--inside-hti--cta-text">Blast off</h3> </div> <div class="small-3 medium-3 large-3 columns"> <i class="ico svg-ico arrowl" data-svg-src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/icon_l_general_arrow_r.svg" data-svg-title="icon__arrow" data-alt="" data-stroke-width="4" data-base-color="#808080"></i> </div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="textimage section"><div class="cq-dd-fragment" data-emptytext="Content Fragment"> </div> </div> <div class="tile section">  <div id="tile-23236f2161" class="tile__content" style="--tile-backgroundColor: #F8DC00" data-layout="stacked" data-imgpos="right" data-ratio="twothirds" data-backgroundColor="#F8DC00" data-gtm-component="tile"> <div class="tile__image"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/subscription-test-assets/ab-test-assets/NHM_NaturallyCurious_TestImages_Two-column_SolarSystem.png.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/subscription-test-assets/ab-test-assets/NHM_NaturallyCurious_TestImages_Two-column_SolarSystem.png.thumb.480.480.png"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 619px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/subscription-test-assets/ab-test-assets/NHM_NaturallyCurious_TestImages_Two-column_SolarSystem.png.placeholder.620.620.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/subscription-test-assets/ab-test-assets/NHM_NaturallyCurious_TestImages_Two-column_SolarSystem.png.thumb.620.620.png"/> <source media="(min-width: 620px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/subscription-test-assets/ab-test-assets/NHM_NaturallyCurious_TestImages_Two-column_SolarSystem.png.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/subscription-test-assets/ab-test-assets/NHM_NaturallyCurious_TestImages_Two-column_SolarSystem.png.thumb.768.768.png"/> <source media="(min-width: 960px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/subscription-test-assets/ab-test-assets/NHM_NaturallyCurious_TestImages_Two-column_SolarSystem.png.placeholder.960.960.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/subscription-test-assets/ab-test-assets/NHM_NaturallyCurious_TestImages_Two-column_SolarSystem.png.thumb.960.960.png"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/subscription-test-assets/ab-test-assets/NHM_NaturallyCurious_TestImages_Two-column_SolarSystem.png.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/subscription-test-assets/ab-test-assets/NHM_NaturallyCurious_TestImages_Two-column_SolarSystem.png.thumb.768.768.png" alt/> </picture> </div> <div class="tile__body"> <div class="tile__heading"> <h3>Prepare for liftoff knowledge seekers!</h3> </div> <div class="tile__text"> <p>But hold onto your helmets. Did you know we鈥檙e offering an on-demand course about Rocks in Space? Get ready to expand your knowledge to infinity and beyond.聽</p> </div>  <div class="tile__cta" data-gtm-component="tile-cta-button"> <a href="https://naturallycurious.nhm.ac.uk/course/rocks-in-space" target="_blank" class="button button--primary button--grey-dark button--with-icon"> Sign up now <span class="button__icon button__icon--chevron"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 150 150"> <path d="M50.03,25.628l50,50l-50,50"></path> </svg> </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>  </div> <div class="layout-row article--related-content" data-columns="1"> <div class="layout-column"> <div class="discoverrelated parbase section"> <div class="discover"> <h3 class="cards__title"></h3> <ul class="small-block-grid-1 medium-block-grid-2 large-block-grid-4 cards" data-gtm-component="curated-article-feed"> <li class="card" data-gtm-component="curated-article-card-0"> <a href="/discover/news/2018/september/net-to-catch-space-debris-around-earth-is-successfully-deployed.html"> <div class="card__wrapper"> <div class="card__image-wrapper"> <div> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk-net/space-junk-net-full-width.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk-net/space-junk-net-full-width.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 640px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk-net/space-junk-net-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk-net/space-junk-net-full-width.jpg.thumb.620.620.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 641px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk-net/space-junk-net-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk-net/space-junk-net-full-width.jpg.thumb.620.620.jpg"/> <img class="lazy card__image" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk-net/space-junk-net-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/space-junk-net/space-junk-net-full-width.jpg.thumb.620.620.jpg" alt=""/> </picture> </div> </div> <div class="card__body"> <div class="card__tag"> News </div> <h3 class="card__title"> Net to catch space debris around Earth is successfully deployed </h3> <div class="card__description"> <p>Scientists are trying to clean up the tens of thousands of pieces of junk in space.</p> </div> <div class="card__date"> 20 September 2018 </div> <div class="card__price"> </div> </div> </div> </a> </li> <li class="card" data-gtm-component="curated-article-card-1"> <a href="/discover/apollo-missions-moon-samples-museum-history.html"> <div class="card__wrapper"> <div class="card__image-wrapper"> <div> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/apollo-missions-museum-history/apollo-11-moon-dust-museum-exhibit-full-width.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/apollo-missions-museum-history/apollo-11-moon-dust-museum-exhibit-full-width.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 640px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/apollo-missions-museum-history/apollo-11-moon-dust-museum-exhibit-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/apollo-missions-museum-history/apollo-11-moon-dust-museum-exhibit-full-width.jpg.thumb.620.620.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 641px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/apollo-missions-museum-history/apollo-11-moon-dust-museum-exhibit-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/apollo-missions-museum-history/apollo-11-moon-dust-museum-exhibit-full-width.jpg.thumb.620.620.jpg"/> <img class="lazy card__image" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/apollo-missions-museum-history/apollo-11-moon-dust-museum-exhibit-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/apollo-missions-museum-history/apollo-11-moon-dust-museum-exhibit-full-width.jpg.thumb.620.620.jpg" alt=""/> </picture> </div> </div> <div class="card__body"> <div class="card__tag"> Space </div> <h3 class="card__title"> In pictures: Apollo missions and the Museum </h3> <div class="card__description"> <p>The聽Museum cares for the only piece of Apollo 17 Moon rock gifted to the UK, but our connection with NASA's missions goes back to Apollo 11.</p> </div> <div class="card__price"> </div> </div> </div> </a> </li> <li class="card" data-gtm-component="curated-article-card-2"> <a href="/discover/news/2019/january/china-successfully-lands-chang-e-4-spacecraft-on-the-far-side-of-the-moon.html"> <div class="card__wrapper"> <div class="card__image-wrapper"> <div> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/china-spacecraft-chang'e-4-far-side-moon/china-moon-chang'e-4-full-width.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/china-spacecraft-chang'e-4-far-side-moon/china-moon-chang'e-4-full-width.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 640px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/china-spacecraft-chang'e-4-far-side-moon/china-moon-chang'e-4-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/china-spacecraft-chang'e-4-far-side-moon/china-moon-chang'e-4-full-width.jpg.thumb.620.620.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 641px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/china-spacecraft-chang'e-4-far-side-moon/china-moon-chang'e-4-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/china-spacecraft-chang'e-4-far-side-moon/china-moon-chang'e-4-full-width.jpg.thumb.620.620.jpg"/> <img class="lazy card__image" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/china-spacecraft-chang%27e-4-far-side-moon/china-moon-chang%27e-4-full-width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/china-spacecraft-chang'e-4-far-side-moon/china-moon-chang'e-4-full-width.jpg.thumb.620.620.jpg" alt=""/> </picture> </div> </div> <div class="card__body"> <div class="card__tag"> News </div> <h3 class="card__title"> China successfully lands Chang'e-4 spacecraft on the far side of the Moon </h3> <div class="card__description"> <p>These are the first images from the surface of the far side of the Moon.</p> </div> <div class="card__date"> 4 January 2019 </div> <div class="card__price"> </div> </div> </div> </a> </li> <li class="card" data-gtm-component="curated-article-card-3"> <a href="/discover/news/2018/august/nasa-launches-solar-probe-to-study-the-sun.html"> <div class="card__wrapper"> <div class="card__image-wrapper"> <div> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/nasa-solar-probe-launch/Parker-probe-Full-Width.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/nasa-solar-probe-launch/Parker-probe-Full-Width.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 640px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/nasa-solar-probe-launch/Parker-probe-Full-Width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/nasa-solar-probe-launch/Parker-probe-Full-Width.jpg.thumb.620.620.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 641px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/nasa-solar-probe-launch/Parker-probe-Full-Width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/nasa-solar-probe-launch/Parker-probe-Full-Width.jpg.thumb.620.620.jpg"/> <img class="lazy card__image" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/nasa-solar-probe-launch/Parker-probe-Full-Width.jpg.placeholder.620.620.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/nasa-solar-probe-launch/Parker-probe-Full-Width.jpg.thumb.620.620.jpg" alt=""/> </picture> </div> </div> <div class="card__body"> <div class="card__tag"> News </div> <h3 class="card__title"> NASA launches solar probe to study the Sun </h3> <div class="card__description"> <p>The Parker Solar Probe will get closer to the Sun than any other spacecraft in history.<br /> </p> </div> <div class="card__date"> 15 August 2018 </div> <div class="card__price"> </div> </div> </div> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout-row social-signup"> <div class="layout-column"> <script src="/etc/clientlibs/nhmwww/jqueryvalidate.js"></script> <script src="/etc/clientlibs/nhmwww/social-signup.js"></script> <div class="social-signup--container"> <div class="social-signup--title-container"> <h3 class="social-signup--title">Don't miss a thing</h3> </div> <div class="js-social-signup social-signup--form-container"> <div class="social-signup--description"> <p>Receive email updates about our news, science, exhibitions, events, products, services and fundraising activities. We may occasionally include third-party content from our corporate partners and other museums. We will not share your personal details with these third parties. You must be over the age of 13. <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/privacy-policy.html">Privacy notice</a>.</p> </div> <form id="newsletter_signup" action="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-space-junk-and-why-is-it-a-problem/jcr:content.newslettersignup.html" method="get"> <div class="social-signup--input-container"> <div class="social-signup--firstname form-field firstname"> <label for="firstname" class="form-required">First name</label> <input type="text" role="textbox" id="firstname" name="firstname" class="item-input" aria-label="input first name"> </div> <div class="social-signup--lastname form-field lastname"> <label for="lastname" class="form-required">Surname</label> <input type="text" role="textbox" name="lastname" id="lastname" class="item-input" aria-label="input surname"> </div> <div class="social-signup--email form-field email"> <label for="email" class="form-required">Email address</label> <input type="text" role="textbox" name="email" id="email" class="item-input" aria-label="input email"> </div> <div class="social-signup--submit"> <button class="button__newsletter-signup" role="button" aria-label="Sign up to our newsletter" type="submit">Sign up</button> </div> </div>  <input aria-label="Question" type="text" name="question" class="question"> <input type="hidden" name="source" value="www.nhm.ac.uk"> <input type="hidden" name="campaign" value="Latest NHM stories"> <input type="hidden" name="confirmationPage" value=""> <input type="hidden" name="doNotBulkEmail" value="false"> <div class="social-signup--error-container"> <div role="alert" class="errors"></div> </div> <div class="social-signup--link-icons"> <p>Follow us on social media</p> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/naturalhistorymuseum"> <img src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/facebook.svg" class="social-signup--img__social" alt="Our Facebook page"/> </a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/NHM_London"> <img src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/twitter.svg" class="social-signup--img__social" alt="Our Twitter account"/> </a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/naturalhistorymuseum"> <img src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/youtube.svg" class="social-signup--img__social" alt="Our YouTube channel"/> </a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://instagram.com/natural_history_museum"> <img src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/instagram.svg" class="social-signup--img__social " alt="Our Instagram account"/> </a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.pinterest.com/nhmlondon"> <img src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site/resources/images/svg-icons/pinterest.svg" class="social-signup--img__social" alt="Our Pinterest account"/> </a> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <footer class="main-footer" data-gtm-component="footer"> <div class="layout-row " data-columns="4" id="layoutcontainer-4d1df0ecd9"> <div class="layout-column flow"> <div class="foundation5image parbase"> <div> <figure class="main-footer--logo flow" role="group"> <img src="/content/dam/nhmwww/press-office/nhm-logo-white.svg" alt="Natural History Museum logo"/> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <h3><a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/">The Natural History Museum</a></h3> <p><b>Cromwell Road</b></p> <p><b>London SW7 5BD</b></p> <p><b><a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Natural+History+Museum/@51.4967183,-0.1785559,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x4876055d2a62ace7:0xf1f051390954c55!4m5!3m4!1s0x48760542e6182f3f:0x7bb7e385c39764c4!8m2!3d51.496715!4d-0.1763672?hl=en">Map</a></b></p> <p>Open daily 10.00-17.50<br /> (last entry 17.30)<br /> Closed 24-26 December</p> <p><a href="/visit.html">Plan your visit</a></p> <p>聽</p> <h3><a href="/visit/tring.html">The Natural History聽Museum at Tring</a><br /> </h3> <p><b>Akeman Street</b></p> <p><b>Tring</b></p> <p><b>Hertfordshire HP23 6AP</b></p> <p><a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Natural+History+Museum+at+Tring/@51.7907453,-0.6634277,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x48765bdea86d0a7d:0x169a990130daab9a!8m2!3d51.790742!4d-0.661239?hl=en">Map</a></p> <p>Open Tuesday-Sunday and bank holidays<br /> 10.00-17.00 (last entry 16.00)<br /> Closed 24-26 December</p> <p><a href="/visit/tring.html">Plan your visit to Tring</a>聽</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout-column flow"> <div class="list-wrapper"> <div class="list list--footer"> <h2> <a href="/visit.html"> Visit </a> </h2> <ul> <li> <a href="/visit/whats-on.html"> What's on </a> </li> <li> <a href="/visit/galleries-and-museum-map.html"> Galleries and Museum map </a> </li> <li> <a href="/visit/access-at-south-kensington.html"> Access </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="list-wrapper"> <div class="list list--footer"> <h2> <a href="/discover.html"> Discover </a> </h2> <ul> <li> <a href="/discover/news.html"> News </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/anthropocene.html"> Anthropocene </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/british-wildlife.html"> British wildlife </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/collections.html"> Collections </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/dinosaurs.html"> Dinosaurs </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/human-evolution.html"> Human evolution </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/oceans.html"> Oceans </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/space.html"> Space </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/what-on-earth.html"> What on Earth? </a> </li> <li> <a href="/discover/video.html"> Video </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="list-wrapper"> <div class="list list--footer"> <h2> <a href="/schools.html"> For schools </a> </h2> <ul> <li> <a href="/schools/school-visits-at-south-kensington.html"> Visiting South Kensington </a> </li> <li> <a href="/visit/tring/school-visits-at-tring.html"> Visiting Tring </a> </li> <li> <a href="/schools/teaching-resources.html"> Learning resources </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="list-wrapper"> <div class="list list--footer"> <h2> <a href="/about-us/careers.html"> Careers </a> </h2> <ul> <li> <a href="https://jobs.nhm.ac.uk/"> Current vacancies </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout-column flow"> <div class="list-wrapper"> <div class="list list--footer"> <h2> <a href="/support-us.html"> Join and support </a> </h2> <ul> <li> <a href="/support-us/membership.html"> Membership </a> </li> <li> <a href="/support-us/membership/gift-membership.html"> Gift membership </a> </li> <li> <a href="/support-us/give.html"> Make a donation </a> </li> <li> <a href="/support-us/patronage.html"> Become a Patron </a> </li> <li> <a href="/support-us/corporate-partnerships.html"> Corporate partnerships </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="list-wrapper"> <div class="list list--footer"> <h2> <a href="/take-part.html"> Take part </a> </h2> <ul> <li> <a href="/take-part/volunteer.html"> Volunteer </a> </li> <li> <a href="/take-part/monitor-and-encourage-nature/community-science.html"> Citizen science </a> </li> <li> <a href="/take-part/identify-nature.html"> Identify UK nature </a> </li> <li> <a href="/take-part/centre-for-uk-nature.html"> Centre for UK Biodiversity </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="list-wrapper"> <div class="list list--footer"> <h2> <a href="/about-us.html"> About us </a> </h2> <ul> <li> <a href="/discover/news.html"> News </a> </li> <li> <a href="/press-office.html"> Press office </a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us/governance.html"> Governance </a> </li> <li> <a href="/contact-us.html"> Contact us </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="list-wrapper"> <div class="list list--footer"> <h2> <a href="https://www.nhmshop.co.uk/"> Online shop </a> </h2> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout-column flow"> <div class="list-wrapper"> <div class="list list--footer"> <h2> <a href="/our-science.html"> Our science </a> </h2> <ul> <li> <a href="/our-science/research.html"> Research </a> </li> <li> <a href="/our-science/services/collections.html"> Collections </a> </li> <li> <a href="/our-science/data.html"> Datasets </a> </li> <li> <a href="/our-science/people.html"> People </a> </li> <li> <a href="/our-science/services/facilities.html"> Facilities </a> </li> <li> <a href="/our-science/study.html"> Study and events </a> </li> <li> <a href="/our-science/services/library.html"> Library and archives </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="list-wrapper"> <div class="list list--footer"> <h2> <a href="/business-services.html"> Business services </a> </h2> <ul> <li> <a href="/business-services/touring-exhibitions.html"> Touring exhibitions </a> </li> <li> <a href="/business-services/consulting.html"> Consulting </a> </li> <li> <a href="/business-services/publishing.html"> Publishing </a> </li> <li> <a href="/business-services/filming.html"> Film locations </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.nhmimages.com/"> NHM images </a> </li> <li> <a href="/business-services/venue-hire.html"> Venue hire </a> </li> <li> <a href="/business-services/licensing.html"> Licensing </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="list-wrapper"> <div class="list list--footer"> <h2> Legal </h2> <ul> <li> <a href="/about-us/cookie-preferences.html"> Cookie preferences </a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us/privacy-notice.html"> Privacy notice </a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us/website-accessibility-statement.html"> Website accessibility statement </a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us/website-terms-conditions.html"> Terms and conditions </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/content/dam/nhmwww/about-us/governance/policies-and-procedures/modern-slavery-statement.pdf"> Modern Slavery Statement </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout-row " data-columns="1" id="layoutcontainer-cbbaf3cb60"> <div class="layout-column flow"> <div class="text parbase"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>漏聽The Trustees of The Natural History Museum, London<br /> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <script src="/etc/clientlibs/nhmwww/lazyload.js"></script> <script src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-foundation.js"></script> <script src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-plugins.js"></script> <script src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-dependencies.js"></script> <script src="/etc.clientlibs/nhmwww/clientlibs/clientlib-site.js"></script> <script src="/etc/clientlibs/nhmwww/twitter.js"></script> <div hidden> <div id="new-window">Opens in a new window</div> </div> <script type="te

CINXE.COM

What is space junk and why is it a problem? | Natural History Museum