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Thursday, 27 May 2010

Space junk threatens 'chain reaction' that could destroy communications on Earth


There is so much junk whizzing around Earth that any collision in space could now cause a knock-on effect that would destroy vital satellites, according to a Pentagon report.
A crash between a satellite and a hunk of space junk could send thousands of pieces of debris spinning out, which could destroy other satellites.
Television signals, weather forecasts, global-positioning navigation and international phone connections are just some of the services at risk. The uncontrolled chain reaction could make some orbits unusable for both commercial or military satellites, according to the U.S Space Posture Review sent to Congress in March.
The report, which has not been publicly released, said space is 'increasingly congested and contested.' (Daily Mail)