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Should You Be Worried About Space Junk?

While space isn’t the next landfill, it hosts a surprising amount of trash. Humans have been leaving their junk in orbit since October 4, 1957, when the U.S.S.R. launched Sputnik. So, what is space junk, and should you be worried about getting hit by some? 

What is Space Trash?

Space trash is exactly that- trash left in space. It is sometimes called space junk or, in more formal settings, orbital debris.

How Much Space Debris is There?

According to NASA, more than 27,000 items of debris are being tracked. Additionally, there are around 23,000 items larger than a softball orbiting Earth. Many other pieces are too small to be tracked.

Has Anyone Actually Been Hit With Space Junk?

To date, only one person has been hit with space trash. Lottie Williams was hit by a piece in 1997 while walking through the park in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Space Junk In The Ocean

Point Nemo sits more than 1,000 miles from any civilization and is considered the most remote point in the world. Because of that, many pieces of equipment end up there when they reenter the atmosphere.

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