Why Are There So Many Pieces of Space Junk?

Imagine your room is a super busy hallway where people are walking in circles. Now add toys cars and balls rolling around. If two things bump into each other they break apart into smaller pieces that keep moving! That is what happens in space above our heads.

The Big Picture

There are millions of tiny pieces of space junk floating up there. They come from old rockets stars and even paint chips flying off satellites.

Why It Matters

If a piece hits your satellite it can break it like a window getting hit by a pebble. Scientists watch these rocks closely to make sure our GPS and TV signals stay safe.

Take the quiz →

Examples

A paint chip flies off a satellite at full speed hitting a telescope like a pebble hitting a windshield
An old rocket booster spins slowly in space becoming a giant metal disc floating among new satellites
Two dead satellites bump into each other and scatter tiny metal shards like glass breaking on the floor

Ask a question

Discussion

Recent activity

Categories: Space · satellites· orbital-debris· collisions