space debris
Defunct satellite fragments
Space debris is the accumulated junk orbiting Earth—defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, fragments from collisions and explosions.
Even small pieces pose serious hazards to spacecraft and astronauts because of their extreme velocity.
The problem grows as each collision creates more fragments: The satellite was destroyed by space debris.
Also called space junk or orbital debris.
Forceful contact or consequence
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
- hypervelocityExtremely high speed
- shatterFragment violently, suddenly
ejecta · breakup · kinetic energy · catastrophic · disintegration · shrapnel · cratering · collision avoidance
Path of moving object
- geosynchronousOrbiting at planetary rotation speed
- orbital decayGradual loss of altitude
- perigeeOrbit's closest point
- apogeeHighest orbital point
inclination · eccentricity · tracking · collision course · reentry · delta-v · orbital mechanics · conjunction
Abandoned or neglectful
- solar panelLight-to-power converter
- fragmentIncomplete portion of whole
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
- adapterDevice enabling equipment compatibility
Indication of potential harm
- riskPossibility of harm
- dangerExposure to harm
- lethalCausing or capable of death
- shieldingProtecting from harm
avoidance · tracking · burnup · projectile · puncture · damage · vulnerability · protection
Act of taking away
- cleanupRestoration of order
- deorbitExit orbital trajectory
- harpoonBarbed spear for whales
- tetherFastening cord for animals
guidelines · remediation · robotic arm · rendezvous · grapple · compliance · international cooperation
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- clutterUntidy collection of items
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- crowdingExcessive gathering in limited space
proliferation · accumulation · density · flux · sustainable · long-term · environmental impact · carrying capacity
impact
Forceful contact or consequence
- fragmentationBreaking into smaller pieces
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
- hypervelocityExtremely high speed
shatter · ejecta · breakup · kinetic energy · catastrophic · disintegration · shrapnel · cratering · collision avoidance · momentum
trajectory
Path of moving object
- geosynchronousOrbiting at planetary rotation speed
- orbital decayGradual loss of altitude
- perigeeOrbit's closest point
apogee · inclination · eccentricity · tracking · collision course · reentry · delta-v · orbital mechanics · conjunction · flyby
derelict
Abandoned or neglectful
- solar panelLight-to-power converter
- fragmentIncomplete portion of whole
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
adapter · antenna · booster · shroud · tank · nozzle · lens cover
threat
Indication of potential harm
shielding · avoidance · tracking · burnup · projectile · puncture · damage · vulnerability · protection · maneuver
removal
Act of taking away
tether · guidelines · remediation · robotic arm · rendezvous · grapple · compliance · international cooperation
pollution
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- clutterUntidy collection of items
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
crowding · proliferation · accumulation · density · flux · sustainable · long-term · environmental impact · carrying capacity
- outer spacesun, moon, planet, star system, solar system
- spacesun, moon, stars, star, Earth
- aerospaceairplane, helicopter, rocket, rockets, astronauts
- space explorationrockets, Saturn V, satellites, mission, Falcon Heavy
- space stuffUFO, alien, meteor, comet, asteroid
- space hazardsasteroids, comets, meteors, meteorites, solar flares
space debrisspace station
Orbiting crewed research facility
communication satellite · GPS satellite · weather satellite · space telescope
space debrismeteoroids
Small interplanetary rocky bodies
asteroids · cosmic dust · comets · celestial bodies · micrometeoroids
space, debris, spaceship, spaced, spaces, spacing, spacecraft, detritus, cyberspace