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How much space

junk is there?

More than 150 million pieces of
space junk are currently orbiting A small fleck of debris
orbiting near Earth
would have the same
Earth. They have an estimated (250 kg) object traveling
impact as a 550 lb
total mass of nearly 7,000 tons at 60 mph (100 kph).
(6,300 metric tons).

Let’s talk trash!

SPINNING SATELLITES

More than 6,600
satellites have been There are
launched into orbit in more than
the history of space 650,000 pieces
exploration. About half of debris bigger
are still there, but only than a marble
about 1,000 of them orbiting
are currently operating. Earth.

US_208-209_309600_Space_Junk.indd 208 19/12/17 3:47 pm