Space Junk : Discovery News

Legendary Earth-Observing Satellite Goes Silent

Posted Mon Apr 16, 2012 02:00 PM ET | 0

The European Space Agency is struggling to restore contact with its massive satellite Envisat, the largest civilian Earth-observation satellite ever to fly in space. Read more

Huge 'UFO Fragment' Discovered in Siberia

Posted Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:38 AM ET | 0

Residents discovered the large object in a village near Siberia. Read more

Dead Russian Mars Probe Reenters Over the Pacific

Posted Sun Jan 15, 2012 05:27 PM ET | 0

Any surviving components of the doomed Phobos-Grunt spacecraft plunged into the ocean on Sunday. Read more

Russian Mars Spacecraft Reentry Imminent

Posted Sun Jan 15, 2012 04:47 AM ET | 0

The stranded Phobos-Grunt probe will likely reenter Earth's atmosphere late on Sunday. Read more

Why Should I Worry About Space Junk?

Posted by Mark Thompson Fri Sep 30, 2011 01:00 PM ET | 0

The space debris issue won't affect me, will it? Actually, as astronomer Mark Thompson explains, it will. Read more

What Can We Do About the Space Junk Problem?

Posted Sun Sep 4, 2011 10:22 PM ET | 0

Guest contributor and spaceflight expert Lucy Rogers investigates the space debris problem and discusses how we could reduce, reuse and recycle. Read more

Man in Space: 3D Photos

Posted Tue Aug 2, 2011 02:47 PM ET | 0

Relive these historic space moments as though you were there -- in 3D! Read more

Space Station to Be Sunk After 2020

Posted Wed Jul 27, 2011 08:03 AM ET | 0

The large complex would pose a space debris risk if left in orbit after its life cycle. Read more

When You Wish Upon a Falling... Toolbag?

Posted by Mark Thompson Wed Mar 9, 2011 10:56 PM ET | 0

We know that space junk is a problem, but could it completely cut off our access to space? Astronomer Mark Thompson gives his opinion. Read more

NASA's Nanosail-D Released into the Winds of Space

Posted Mon Dec 6, 2010 02:45 PM ET | 0

After piggybacking on another satellite into orbit, the small cubesat is set to unfurl its sail in three days time. Read more

A Traffic Cop for Satellites

Posted by Irene Klotz Wed Sep 1, 2010 07:00 AM ET | 0

Satellite crashes may be rare, but when they happen, the impact can be long-lasting. Read more

Space Junk Just Misses Space Station: Discovery News

Posted Tue Aug 4, 2009 03:01 PM ET

A big piece of space junk safely sped by the International Space Station and shuttle Discovery, missing by less than a mile. Read more

DARPA Wants Ideas for Cleaning Up Space: Discovery News

Posted Tue Aug 4, 2009 03:01 PM ET

James Hollopeter of GIT Satellite has a plan for getting rid of orbiting junk. He wants to launch rocket-loads of water into space to create a liquid wall for debris to slam into, so the pieces can slow down and eventually drop out of orbit. Read more

Bad Weather Prevents Space Shuttle Landing : Discovery News

Posted Tue Aug 4, 2009 03:01 PM ET

Bad weather prevented space shuttle Discovery from returning home Thursday and kept its astronauts circling the world for at least an extra day. Read more

Space Shuttle Discovery Crew Heads Home : Discovery News

Posted Tue Aug 4, 2009 03:01 PM ET

The farewell hugs and handshakes are over. Now all that's left for the crews of the space shuttle and space station is the release of the docking latches. Read more