TRASH PLANET

As of 2025, there are approximately 10,000 active satellites orbiting Earth, a significant increase from previous years. A large portion of these satellites belong to SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, which aims to provide global internet coverage. This rapid expansion of satellites has led to growing concerns about space debris.

With more satellites in orbit, the risk of collisions increases. When satellites or other objects crash into each other, they can break apart into smaller debris, which can remain in orbit for years or even decades. These fragments pose a threat to operational satellites, the International Space Station, and future space missions. Even tiny debris, traveling at high speeds, can cause significant damage to spacecraft.

To address this issue, space agencies and private companies are developing strategies for debris mitigation, such as de-orbiting satellites at the end of their life cycles and designing systems to remove existing debris from space. However, as satellite launches continue to rise, managing space traffic and preventing collisions will become even more critical for the sustainability of space activities.