Scientists hope to curb risk of falling space junk as Earth's orbit fills up

Thu May 7, 2:53 PM

By The Canadian Press
MONTREAL - Scientists from around the globe are descending on Montreal this week to discuss a growing extraterrestrial threat to humankind - falling space junk.
The cosmic experts warn the dangers created by a man-made space particle, even as small as a cornflake, to spacecraft and earthlings are too big to be ignored.
McGill University's Ram Jakhu says scientists predict a rise in space collisions as more and more objects hurtle through Earth's orbit at speeds 10 times faster than a bullet.
Jakhu says people on the ground could also become victims of fragments that break through the planet's atmosphere.
The congress, hosted by McGill, is looking at ways to prevent rocket and satellite fragments, which can be as large as a bus, from circling the planet.
Experts say a chunk of space garbage longer than a metre enters Earth's atmosphere each week and many will strike the surface.
Jakhu says while the chance that one of these objects will hit an earthling is small, he believes humans have been lucky there have been no documented casualties.

 

It's true, and it's a serious nuisance. Hopefully we can do something to reduce or at least prevent an increase of this junk. We don't need a space Sargasso. On the other hand, I think this is written more because a reporter needed a story than because he saw a genuine problem.

 

Humans tend to leave a trail of destruction, filth and trash wherever we go. when we finally kill ourselves off, what ever life is left on this planet will be much better off.

 

I don't know about that.

The planet will likely be inherited by Rattus niirvegicus and his cousins. They've done pretty well under human domination. Of course, la cucaracha should still be around, but without heated homes his range will be diminished.

 

Why is the big blue planet Uranus, not named Jupiter (god of the sky) and why is the planet with a big red anus on it, Jupiter, not named Uranus?

 

Chicken Little told me he'd respect me in the morning - he lied

 

In some ways I agree. We have left alot of trash in orbit. We need to get a sweeper up there...

 

You're Mr white wings. Get out there and start sweeping!

 

If shit stays in orbit so long, how come I can't rent an apartment in space yet?