The “Arm News” website stated that American surveillance networks are currently tracking more than 33,000 pieces of space debris around the Earth, at a speed approaching 28,000 kilometers per hour.

These high speeds mean that even very small fragments are capable of causing serious damage to satellites, spacecraft and stations operating in low Earth orbit.

The total mass of space debris weighs more than 15,800 tons, which is approximately equivalent to the weight of 40 huge passenger planes that crashed and turned into thousands of scattered pieces.

However, the greatest threat is not only the current debris, but also what is known as “Kessler Syndrome”, which is a successive series of collisions. Each collision between a piece of debris and a satellite produces hundreds of new fragments, which in turn may collide with other objects.

Of the 33,269 objects currently being tracked, 12,550 are classified as actual space debris, including the remains of rockets, expired satellites, and fragments of explosions, while the number of operational satellites stands at 17,682.

Thus, there are about seven pieces of tracked debris for every ten satellites orbiting the Earth.

Experts confirm that the problem will continue to worsen even if space launches stop completely. (Erm News)