Almost half of everything orbiting Earth is space junk
Nearly half of the 33,269 known objects orbiting Earth—including 12,550 tracked debris fragments—are classified as space junk, with China, the U.S., and the Russian-aligned CIS responsible for most of it, according to a report by Accu. The debris, traveling at 17,400 mph, poses risks to missions like the International Space Station, while efforts to mitigate the problem remain limited despite experimental solutions like robotic arms and harpoons.
Nearly half of the 33,269 known objects orbiting Earth—totaling 12,550 tracked debris fragments—are classified as space junk, according to a report by engineering components company Accu. The data, sourced from the U.S. Space Surveillance Network and its Space-Track database, reveals that 47% of these objects serve no purpose, including inactive satellites and discarded rocket bodies. China accounts for 34% of the debris, while the U.S. and the Russian-aligned Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) each contribute about 31%. The debris poses significant risks due to its speed—approximately 17,400 miles per hour—where even microscopic fragments can cause severe damage. In 2016, a tiny particle created a quarter-inch-wide crater in the International Space Station’s Cupola window. Accu’s analysis also found seven debris objects for every 10 satellites in orbit, highlighting the growing problem. Most debris eventually burns up during atmospheric re-entry, but some materials like aluminum, copper, and lithium leave harmful particulates in the upper atmosphere, potentially affecting the ozone layer. The report notes that while no major cleanup projects exist, efforts to reduce future debris include the European Space Agency’s ClearSpace-1 mission and private-sector innovations like robotic arms, drag sails, and harpoons. Currently, about 15,550 tons of space junk—equivalent to the weight of 40 jumbo jets—circles Earth, with no immediate solutions in place. Accu’s findings emphasize the need for international coordination to address the escalating issue before it threatens future space missions and satellite operations.
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