Removing these 50 objects from orbit would cut danger from space junk in half
a day ago
- #Kessler-Syndrome
- #low-Earth-orbit
- #space-debris
- 50 most concerning pieces of space debris in low-Earth orbit are mostly relics over 25 years old.
- 76% of the top 50 objects were deposited before 2000, with 88% being rocket bodies.
- These objects pose high collision risks, potentially triggering the Kessler Syndrome (cascading debris collisions).
- Debris travels at nearly 5 miles per second in a heavily trafficked LEO zone (700–1,000 km altitude).
- Russia/Soviet Union leads with 34 objects in the Top 50, followed by China (10), US (3), Europe (2), and Japan (1).
- Russia's SL-16 and SL-8 rockets account for 30 of the Top 50 slots.