Space Junk Gold Rush: Inside the 2025–2032 Race to Clean Up Earth’s Orbit and Cash In on Sustainability
Over 32,000 debris objects are tracked in orbit, with an estimated 130 million smaller fragments posing risks to satellites. The International Space Station has conducted nearly 40 evasive maneuvers to avoid collisions. China’s 2007 anti-satellite test and a 2009 satellite collision each created thousands of new debris pieces. ClearSpace-1, scheduled for 2026, will attempt the first robotic debris removal after an €86 million ESA contract.