Where humans go, garbage tends to follow—and space is no exception. And much like the buildup of trash on Earth, the accumulation of junk in space poses a problem for future generations. Orbital debris, or space junk, is already posing direct threats to satellites and spacecraft: The International Space Station already has to sidestep dangerous pieces of trash, and satellite launches already have to factor debris into their timetables. All the space-faring nations are trying to find ways to clean up the mess before the ever-growing clutter makes launches impossible. Here’s an introduction to the garbage orbiting hundreds of miles above your head:
Infographic by: worldsciencefestival