When we think of outer space, we imagine a vast area. Despite the fact that Earth is a mere speck in the larger universe, the magnetic force surrounding our planet is cluttered with orbital debris. Broken satellites, nuts, bolts, metal and other junk from space craft circle around our planet and has caused damage to space shuttles and the International Space Station. Some space junk even falls down like meteors, hot balls of fire that strike the Earth.
How is NASA and the rest of the international space community dealing with space junk? Explore the problem and their tactics below.
Space Junk
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Learn about orbital debris and see if you can guess where it all comes from.
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Question 1 of 7
1. Question
How much space debris is oribiting the Earth?
Correct 1 / 1 PointsFour million pounds. Scientists estimate that Earth is surrounded by four million pounds of space waste. The U.S. Space Command monitors space debris and other objects, reporting directly to NASA and other agencies whenever theres threat of an orbital impact, according to Space.com.
Incorrect / 1 PointsFour million pounds. Scientists estimate that Earth is surrounded by four million pounds of space waste. The U.S. Space Command monitors space debris and other objects, reporting directly to NASA and other agencies whenever theres threat of an orbital impact, according to Space.com.
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Question 2 of 7
2. Question
Small particles of space debris can damage spacecraft. True or False?
Correct 1 / 1 PointsTrue. In fact, according to reports, space shuttle ground crews routinely find evidence of tiny space particles having dug themselves quite deeply into the shuttles windows after a mission.
Incorrect / 1 PointsTrue. In fact, according to reports, space shuttle ground crews routinely find evidence of tiny space particles having dug themselves quite deeply into the shuttles windows after a mission.
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Question 3 of 7
3. Question
Space debris can act like a sandblaster to spacecraft, eroding the body of the shuttles. What do engineers do to help combat this damage?
Correct 1 / 1 PointsApply a layer of metal foil to protect the body of the spacecraft.
Incorrect / 1 PointsApply a layer of metal foil to protect the body of the spacecraft.
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Question 4 of 7
4. Question
Which device cannot be protected from orbital debris with a foil layer and get damaged over time?
Correct 1 / 1 PointsAll of the above. Solar panels and optical devices (such as telescopes, or star trackers) cannot be protected the same way as the outer walls of a spacecraft.
Incorrect / 1 PointsAll of the above. Solar panels and optical devices (such as telescopes, or star trackers) cannot be protected the same way as the outer walls of a spacecraft.
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Question 5 of 7
5. Question
Every device, craft and item in space has the potential to become space junk. True or False?
Correct 1 / 1 PointsTrue. Anything left in space could eventually become trash.
Incorrect / 1 PointsTrue. Anything left in space could eventually become trash.
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Question 6 of 7
6. Question
Decay of space junk is possible. Where does orbital decay happen faster?
Correct 1 / 1 PointsLower Altitude. At high altitude, there is little that can affect the debris, but pressure, atmospheric drag and the position of the moon can bring decay faster to orbital debris at lower altitudes.
Incorrect / 1 PointsLower Altitude. At high altitude, there is little that can affect the debris, but pressure, atmospheric drag and the position of the moon can bring decay faster to orbital debris at lower altitudes.
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Question 7 of 7
7. Question
Which of the items below is NOT a source of space junk?
Correct 1 / 1 PointsGarbage From Earth. Broken spacecraft like the Vanguard I, rocket boosters, equipment and parts of satellites and spacecraft, litter the atmosphere as space junk.
Incorrect / 1 PointsGarbage From Earth. Broken spacecraft like the Vanguard I, rocket boosters, equipment and parts of satellites and spacecraft, litter the atmosphere as space junk.
