13,000 tonnes of space junk clutters Earth orbit. Here’s how it could be cleaned up
Earth's orbit is becoming increasingly crowded with space debris, posing risks to critical infrastructure. Experts are calling for new technological and policy solutions to manage the growing amount of junk in space.
Why it matters
As satellite constellations expand, the risk of orbital collisions threatens global communication and navigation systems.
The Conversation , CC BY-SA 13,000 tonnes of space junk clutters Earth orbit. Here’s how it could be cleaned up Published: June 30, 2026 4:11pm EDT https://theconversation.com/13-000-tonnes-of-space-junk-clutters-earth-orbit-heres-how-it-could-be-cleaned-up-283772 https://theconversation.com/13-000-tonnes-of-space-junk-clutters-earth-orbit-heres-how-it-could-be-cleaned-up-283772 Link copied Share article Share article
The article presents scientific data and industry challenges objectively, though it mentions Elon Musk's role in the context of satellite growth.
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