24839 Search Results for "orbital debris"

We're working continuously to improve our search results. If you aren't finding what you expect, please use our feedback form to share the search query and expected result with us so we can improve.

6 Min Read

What Is Orbital Debris? (Grades 5-8) - NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-kids-and-students/what-is-orbital-debris-grades-5-8

Orbital debris (duh BREE) is “junk” that is circling Earth. It is pieces from spacecraft. Humans have been launching objects into space for more than 50 years.

Space Debris - NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/headquarters/library/find/bibliographies/space-debris

There are millions of pieces of space junk flying in LEO. Most orbital debris comprises human-generated objects, such as pieces of space craft, tiny flecks of ...

4 Min Read

Orbital Debris - NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/reference/jsc-orbital-debris

Orbital debris is critical in human spaceflight as its presence poses a significant threat to spacecraft and astronauts, necessitating careful monitoring ...

3 Min Read

Space Debris - NASA Science

https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/space-debris-40173

Approximately 19000 manmade objects larger than 10 centimeters orbit the Earth. These images, based on models, show the distribution of orbital debris ...

3 Min Read

What Is Orbital Debris? (Grade K-4) - NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-kids-and-students/what-is-orbital-debris-grades-k-4

This article is for students grades K-4. Orbital debris (duh-bree) is “junk” in space. It is pieces of spacecraft. Humans have been launching objects into ...

3 Min Read

NASA Study Provides New Look at Orbital Debris, Potential Solutions

https://www.nasa.gov/organizations/otps/nasa-study-provides-new-look-at-orbital-debris-potential-solutions

Simulation of orbital debris around Earth demonstrating the object population in the geosynchronous region. New data analysis indicates that NASA and its ...

2 Min Read

Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD) - NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/white-sands/micrometeoroids-and-orbital-debris-mmod

Orbital debris consists of remnants from previous missions. These items collide and explode creating additional pieces of debris that range from the size of a ...

49 Min Read

Orbital Debris - NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts/houston-we-have-a-podcast/orbital-debris

Now there are natural debris, there are meteoroids, and they are a risk, especially to deep space missions. But in Earth orbit, especially low-Earth orbit, ...

3 Min Read

New NASA Report Reframes the Challenge of Addressing Orbital Debris

https://www.nasa.gov/organizations/otps/new-nasa-report-reframes-the-challenge-of-addressing-orbital-debris

Orbital debris is an increasingly serious issue that could impede access to space and complicate everything from communication satellite operations to ...

3 Min Read

NASA-Supported Studies Will Focus on Addressing Space Debris

https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/commercial-space/leo-economy/nasa-supported-studies-will-focus-on-addressing-space-debris

Orbital debris consists of human-made objects orbiting Earth that no longer serve a purpose, including old satellites and other spacecraft, abandoned rocket ...

1 Min Read

Station Maneuvers to Avoid Orbital Debris - NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2025/04/30/station-maneuvers-to-avoid-orbital-debris

... orbital debris from a fragment of a Chinese Long March rocket launched in 2005. The pre-planned Debris Avoidance Maneuver was coordinated by NASA, Roscosmos ...

33 Min Read

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 132: Orbital Debris: Reducing Risk with Cost-Effective Strategies - NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts/small-steps-giant-leaps/episode-132-orbital-debris-reducing-risk-with-cost-effective-strategies

Orbital debris. It's defined as any human-made object in orbit around Earth that no longer serves any useful purpose. It can be as large as pieces of old ...

13.0 Deorbit Systems - NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/smallsat-institute/sst-soa/deorbit-systems

Orbital Lifetime refers to total time spacecraft is in orbit. 13.2 Orbital Debris Regulations. Space debris has been a concern for several decades, but with ...

6 Min Read

Space Debris: Understanding the Risks to NASA Spacecraft

https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/nesc/space-debris-understanding-the-risks-to-nasa-spacecraft

Micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) is the number one risk for NASA's human spaceflight programs. Many orbital debris objects—approximately 20,000—are ...

3 Min Read

NASA Sponsors New Research on Orbital Debris, Lunar Sustainability

https://www.nasa.gov/organizations/otps/nasa-sponsors-new-research-on-orbital-debris-lunar-sustainability

This debris can endanger spacecraft, jeopardize access to space, and impede the development of a low-Earth orbit economy. The remaining two awards focus on ...

3 Min Read

NASA Funds Projects to Study Orbital Debris, Space Sustainability

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-funds-projects-to-study-orbital-debris-space-sustainability

Orbital debris consists of human-made objects orbiting Earth that no longer serve a purpose, including mission-related and fragmentation debris ...

5 Min Read

NASA Selects Small Businesses for Orbital Debris, Surface Dust Tech

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/nasa-selects-small-businesses-for-orbital-debris-surface-dust-tech

... orbital debris and surface dust. During their contracts, the companies will produce prototypes to be demonstrated or used in spaceflight. “Our missions ...

4 Min Read

Getting SSPICY: NASA Funds Orbital Debris Inspection Mission

https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/ames/getting-sspicy-nasa-funds-orbital-debris-inspection-mission

Orbital debris mitigation is a key component of NASA's Space Sustainability Strategy. “The SSPICY mission is designed to mature technologies needed for U.S. ...

1 Min Read

Space Station Raises Orbit Avoiding Orbital Debris - NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/11/19/space-station-raises-orbit-avoiding-orbital-debris

The Pre-determined Debris Avoidance Maneuver (PDAM) was conducted in coordination with NASA, Roscosmos and the other space station partners. Without the ...

2 Min Read

On-Orbit, Collision-Free Mapping of Small Orbital Debris - NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/general/on-orbit-collision-free-mapping-of-small-orbital-debris

We propose to evaluate the feasibility of mapping small (micron to sub-cm scale) orbital debris in LEO using a fleet of cubesats equipped with sensors to.

Suggested Searches

Featured

Hubble Nets Menagerie of Young Stellar Objects

Final Steps Underway for NASA’s First Crewed Artemis Moon Mission

What’s Up: January 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA

Missions

Humans in Space

Earth

The Solar System

The Universe

Science

Aeronautics

Technology

Learning Resources

About NASA

NASA en Español

News & Events

Multimedia

Featured

Hubble Nets Menagerie of Young Stellar Objects

NASA’s Webb Delivers Unprecedented Look Into Heart of Circinus Galaxy

Final Steps Underway for NASA’s First Crewed Artemis Moon Mission

Highlights

Out of This World Discoveries: Space Station Research in 2025

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 Wraps Up Space Station Science

Últimos preparativos para la primera misión tripulada a la Luna con la campaña Artemis de la NASA

Highlights

Geosphere Publications and Research Highlights

Blooming Seas Around the Chatham Islands

NASA Data Helps Maine Oyster Farmers Choose Where to Grow

Highlights

Amendment 38: D.5 Astrophysics Pioneers Updates and Due Dates Delayed

Amendment 37: New Opportunity: C.12 Foundational Artificial Intelligence for the Moon and Mars

Flight Engineers Give NASA’s Dragonfly Lift

Featured

Hubble Snaps Stellar Baby Pictures

Hubble Observes Ghostly Cloud Alive with Star Formation

Hubble’s Album of Planet-Forming Disks

Highlights

Hubble Snaps Stellar Baby Pictures

B.6 Heliophysics Technology and Instrument Development for Science

NASA Develops Blockchain Technology to Enhance Air Travel Safety and Security

Highlights

NASA Develops Blockchain Technology to Enhance Air Travel Safety and Security

NASA Armstrong Advances Flight Research and Innovation in 2025

NASA, Boeing Test How to Improve Performance of Longer, Narrower Aircraft Wings

Highlights

B.6 Heliophysics Technology and Instrument Development for Science

Amendment 38: D.5 Astrophysics Pioneers Updates and Due Dates Delayed

NASA Back for Seconds with New Food System Design Challenge

Featured

Join the Artemis Mission to the Moon

Featured

NASA Back for Seconds with New Food System Design Challenge

NASA Bolsters Golden Age of Exploration with Technology Priorities

A Quarter Century in Orbit: Science Shaping Life on Earth and Beyond

Highlights

Últimos preparativos para la primera misión tripulada a la Luna con la campaña Artemis de la NASA

TRAPPIST-1 e — Guided Tour-es

Kepler-186 f — Guided Tour-es

24839 results found

Content Type

Categories

Changed

Language

What Is Orbital Debris? (Grades 5-8) - NASA

Space Debris - NASA

Orbital Debris - NASA

Space Debris - NASA Science

What Is Orbital Debris? (Grade K-4) - NASA

NASA Study Provides New Look at Orbital Debris, Potential Solutions

Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD) - NASA

Orbital Debris - NASA

New NASA Report Reframes the Challenge of Addressing Orbital Debris

NASA-Supported Studies Will Focus on Addressing Space Debris

Station Maneuvers to Avoid Orbital Debris - NASA

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 132: Orbital Debris: Reducing Risk with Cost-Effective Strategies - NASA

13.0 Deorbit Systems - NASA

Space Debris: Understanding the Risks to NASA Spacecraft

NASA Sponsors New Research on Orbital Debris, Lunar Sustainability