Junkyard Circling the Earth Is Growing, Scientists Say

~




A computer-generated image shows "space junk" circulating in low Earth orbit. "Space is like the Wild West used to be," said David Wright, senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Imagine half a million marbles circling Earth -- a sort of celestial obstacle course for the International Space Station, shuttles and satellites.

That's the increasingly problematic issue of orbital debris. The objects can be as big as a defunct satellite, but -- traveling at speeds of 17,500 miles an hour or more -- even a paint flake can put a chink in a space shuttle window, as happened on one mission.

~