RE: https://mastodon.social/@sundogplanets/116258677474446258

The full #environmental consequences remain poorly understood because #satellite 🛰️ builders rarely disclose what their spacecraft are made of. #Scientists assume a large fraction is #aluminium.

Debris is already hitting the ground and the chance of a casualty from megaconstellation re-entries is now about 40% per five-year cycle – rising for both people and #aircraft ✈️ as more satellites are added to orbit.

#atmosphere #pollution #SpaceDebris

"A dramatic rise in the number of satellites on orbit is increasing the amount of space debris, posing a critical threat to the capabilities of America’s national space systems, Maj. Gen. Chris Povak, deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office, said Monday. 'The future gets more complex, not less. More satellites, more debris, more competition,' he said."

https://www.nro.gov/news-media-featured-stories/news-media-archive/News-Article/Article/4441342/ddnro-warns-of-risks-from-space-debris-at-tech-symposium/

#Space #SpaceDebris #SpaceEnvironment

A WEEK IN ORBITAL HOARDING
13/2026

🌐️ CATALOGED OBJECTS IN ORBIT: 33,262 (+36)
🛰 Active spacecraft: 15,229 (+63)
💤 Nonoperational spacecraft: 3,008
🚀 Rocket bodies: 2,398
❓ Unknown objects: 60
🗑️ Debris >10 cm: 12,567 (-27)

48 cataloged objects were officially confirmed as reentered since the last update.

#Orbit #Satcat #Satellite #SpaceDebris #SpaceJunk #OrbitalHoarding

Clean up on aisle 7! Interesting idea - who will pay the bill?

US based Portal Space Systems and Australian startup Paladin Space are combing forces to create and launch a scalable, commercial space debris clean-up service.

Paladin’s supplies their Triton debris identification and capture system with Portal provides its maneuverable Starburst spacecraft. Target launch = Q2 2027. https://www.inc.com/chloe-aiello/these-two-startups-are-teaming-up-to-prevent-a-pearl-harbor-moment-in-space/91318935

#Portal #Paladin #Triton #Space #SpaceJunk #LEO #Starburst #SpaceCraft #SpaceDebris

RE: https://academiccloud.social/@hausderastronomie/116261240631795787

Der gute Socrates hat sicher nicht mit dem ganzen Weltraummüll eines Homo sapiens sapiens gerechnet, sonst hätte er seine philosophische Idee sicher zurückgezogen (..)

#equinox
#spacedebris #massconstellations #astronomy #commercialspaceflights #space #lightpollution

A WEEK IN ORBITAL HOARDING
12/2026

🌐️ CATALOGED OBJECTS IN ORBIT: 33,226 (+44)
🛰 Active spacecraft: 15,166 (+60)
💤 Nonoperational spacecraft: 3,008 (-3)
🚀 Rocket bodies: 2,398 (+2)
❓ Unknown objects: 60
🗑️ Debris >10 cm: 12,594 (-15)

29 cataloged objects were officially confirmed as reentered since the last update.

#Orbit #Satcat #Satellite #SpaceDebris #SpaceJunk #OrbitalHoarding