US EditionWhy ‘Kessler Syndrome’ could turn from a hypothetical to a space disaster reality
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15 Articles
15 Articles
What is ‘Kessler syndrome’?
A US Air Force weather satellite broke up in space last month, shattering into 50 pieces and joining the estimated 130 million bits of “space junk” in the Earth’s orbit. The increasing amount of debris has heightened fears about the “Kessler syndrome”. Named after an American astrophysicist called Donald Kessler, it refers to a scenario in which a space junk collision sets off a chain reaction of similar incidents. Experts are divided over how l…
Space traffic experts are warning of a dangerous phenomenon called Kessler Syndrome, which could turn Earth's orbit into a debris trap. Collisions between pieces of junk...
Collisions between space objects can trigger a chain reaction in which debris destroys other objects, creating ever-increasing clouds of debris. Such a development could make the orbit so congested that it becomes unusable for satellites and space exploration.
Kessler Syndrome: The Alarming Space Junk Crisis
Kessler Syndrome: The Alarming Space Junk Crisis Welcome to our cosmic chatroom, friends—where we stand on the threshold of outer space but also face a looming threat right above our heads: the escalating risk of orbital debris. Here at FreeAstroScience.com, we’re delighted you’re reading along as we demystify a fascinating yet alarming concept called Kessler Syndrome. By the end of this post, you’ll understand how space junk can set off a dange…
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