It estimates there have been more than 560 break-ups, explosions, collisions, or anomalous events resulting in fragmentation.
While rocket launches have placed about 10,680 satellites in Earth’s orbit since 1957, around 6,250 of these are still in space, but only 3,700 are still functioning.
A collision with space debris could have a big impact on satellite services people rely on every day, including mobile phones and online banking.
The servicer satellite has been developed to safely remove debris from orbit, equipped with proximity rendezvous technologies and a magnetic docking mechanism.
The client satellite is a piece of replica debris fitted with a plate that enables the docking.
The Overthrow of Evo Morales and the First Lithium War
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Mission to demonstrate space debris removal set for launch
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