Orbiting Debris
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Failing Starlink Satellite Photographed in Orbit Before Fiery Reentry
A SpaceX Starlink satellite suffered a major in-orbit failure in December 2025, losing communication after venting its fuel tank and beginning an uncontrolled orbital descent. The malfunction caused the satellite’s altitude to drop and produced minor debris, prompting close tracking by SpaceX, NASA and the U.S. Space Force. High-resolution imager...
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Scientists Chase Falling Satellite to Study Atmospheric Pollution from Spacecraft Reentries
In a rare airborne mission, scientists chased ESA's Cluster Salsa satellite as it reentered Earth's atmosphere. The fiery descent revealed emissions of lithium, potassium, and aluminum—chemicals that could impact the ozone layer and climate. With satellite reentries increasing, researchers aim to improve pollution models and plan further tracking...
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NASA to Develop Gecko-Inspired Gripping Tools
NASA scientists are working on adhesive gripping tools that could tackle objects such as orbital debris or defunct satellites that would otherwise be hard to handle.
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This janitor satellite could help clean up space
Swiss scientists plan to launch a "janitor satellite" specially designed to get rid of orbiting debris known as space junk.
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Failing Starlink Satellite Photographed in Orbit Before Fiery Reentry
A SpaceX Starlink satellite suffered a major in-orbit failure in December 2025, losing communication after venting its fuel tank and beginning an uncontrolled orbital descent. The malfunction caused the satellite’s altitude to drop and produced minor debris, prompting close tracking by SpaceX, NASA and the U.S. Space Force. High-resolution imager...
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Scientists Chase Falling Satellite to Study Atmospheric Pollution from Spacecraft Reentries
In a rare airborne mission, scientists chased ESA's Cluster Salsa satellite as it reentered Earth's atmosphere. The fiery descent revealed emissions of lithium, potassium, and aluminum—chemicals that could impact the ozone layer and climate. With satellite reentries increasing, researchers aim to improve pollution models and plan further tracking...
-
NASA to Develop Gecko-Inspired Gripping Tools
NASA scientists are working on adhesive gripping tools that could tackle objects such as orbital debris or defunct satellites that would otherwise be hard to handle.
-
This janitor satellite could help clean up space
Swiss scientists plan to launch a "janitor satellite" specially designed to get rid of orbiting debris known as space junk.
