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Possible threats from satellites
Space Junk
Space junk is debris that orbits Earth, presenting hazards to operating spacecraft. The debris includes dead satellites and booster stages, pieces of exploded boosters, pieces of spacecraft, and even bits of equipment accidentally lost from manned space missions. The amount of space junk is increasing at a frenetic pace as companies launch thousands of new communication satellites into orbit. The United States Space Force tracks debris down to just a few centimeters (inches) across, and provides warnings to satellite operators when one of their craft is threatened. Debris is a special problem for the International Space Station, which is the largest craft ever placed in orbit. Astronauts aboard the station sometimes have to retreat to their return capsules when space debris is predicted to come especially close. Several space agencies are studying ways to reduce the amount of space junk, which could make space flight especially hazardous in the years to come.
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