Articles for tag: space junk

7 Times Space Junk Fell Back to Earth in the U.S.

7 Times Space Junk Fell Back to Earth in the U.S.

Annette Uy

The vast expanse above our heads isn’t as empty as it appears. Right now, over 34,000 pieces of space debris larger than a softball are hurtling around Earth at speeds of up to 17,500 miles per hour. Most of this cosmic garbage stays safely in orbit, but sometimes gravity wins the battle, and these metallic ...