Space debris

What is Space Debris?

Space debris are old pieces of human-made things floating in space near Earth. These pieces include broken parts from old satellites, tiny bits from old rockets, and even small pieces like paint flakes. Even though they are very small, they move super fast and can be tricky to see.

Why Do We Care About Space Debris?

Space debris can bump into satellites, space stations, and other spacecraft. To stay safe, the International Space Station has special shields to protect it from tiny flying bits. Sometimes, when a big piece is coming close, the space station moves a little to avoid it.

How Much Space Debris is There?

There are many pieces of space debris floating around. As of April 2025, there were over 40,000 objects big enough for people on Earth to track. But there are also millions of smaller pieces that we can’t see, and they can still bump into satellites and other spacecraft. Scientists and space teams are working hard to track these pieces and find ways to keep space safe for everything that travels up there.