Space debris as a research area focuses on the characterization, modeling, monitoring, and mitigation of artificial objects orbiting Earth that are no longer functional, including defunct satellites, spent rocket bodies, and fragmentation products. It encompasses orbital dynamics and environment modeling, collision probability assessment, re-entry prediction, material response during breakup, and the long-term evolution of the debris population. Research addresses sensor technologies and data processing for tracking, space surveillance and tracking (SST) architectures, mitigation and remediation strategies (e.g., post-mission disposal, active debris removal), and the development of technical standards and guidelines to preserve the sustainability and safety of space operations.
When part of a SpaceX rocket re-entered Earth's atmosphere exactly a year ago, it created a spectacuglar fireball that streaked across Europe's skies, delighting stargazers and sending a team of scientists rushing toward ...
Space Exploration
Feb 19, 2026
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On January 30, 2026, SpaceX filed an application with the US Federal Communications Commission for a megaconstellation of up to 1 million satellites to power data centers in space.
Planetary Sciences
Feb 18, 2026
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Researchers at The University of Manchester have developed a new way to design Earth-observation satellite missions that could help protect the space environment while continuing to deliver vital data for tackling global ...
Space Exploration
Feb 16, 2026
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A possible alternative to active debris removal (ADR) by laser is ablative propulsion by a remotely transmitted electron beam (e-beam). The e-beam ablation has been widely used in industries, and it might provide higher overall ...
Plasma Physics
Feb 9, 2026
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Sometimes we humans get ahead of ourselves. We embark on grand engineering experiments without really understanding what the long-term implications of such projects are. Climate change itself is a perfect example of that—no ...
Space Exploration
Feb 6, 2026
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Tech firms are floating the idea of building data centers in space and tapping into the sun's energy to meet out-of-this-world power demands in a fierce artificial intelligence race.
Space Exploration
Feb 4, 2026
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The sky is getting crowded. In the last few years, the number of satellite launches has increased by an order of magnitude as mega-constellations of internet-powering hardware crowd into low Earth orbit. The pace of both ...
Space Exploration
Jan 29, 2026
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There's a bright side to every situation. In 2032, the moon itself might have a particularly bright side if it is blasted by a 60-meter-wide asteroid. The chances of such an event are still relatively small (only around 4%) ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 27, 2026
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Space debris—the thousands of pieces of human-made objects abandoned in Earth's orbit—pose a risk to humans when they fall to the ground. To locate possible crash sites, a Johns Hopkins University scientist has helped to ...
Space Exploration
Jan 22, 2026
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At the end of their lives, most satellites fall to their death. Many of the smaller ones, including most of those going up as part of the "mega-constellations" currently under construction, are intended to burn up in the ...
Space Exploration
Dec 29, 2025
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