July 11th, 2024

Space junk is exponentially increasing – and Elon Musk is a big reason why

Space junk poses a growing issue, exacerbated by the U.S., notably SpaceX. The company, under Elon Musk's leadership, launches numerous satellites, contributing to a surge in space debris, raising sustainability concerns.

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Space junk is exponentially increasing – and Elon Musk is a big reason why

Space junk is a growing issue, with the U.S. contributing significantly to the problem, largely due to SpaceX's activities. The number of objects launched into space has increased exponentially in recent years, surpassing the total from the start of space exploration until 2018. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is a major player in this trend, responsible for a substantial portion of U.S. space launches. The company has launched thousands of satellites, with plans to further increase this number in the future. The U.S. accounts for over 80% of the world's space objects, with SpaceX leading the way in orbital launches. This surge in space debris raises concerns about the long-term impact on space exploration and sustainability.

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