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- 1Amazon seeks FCC approval for 5,105 new satellites●# Amazon is asking the # FCC to approve 5,105 massive new # satellites while hiding their orbital debris risk models beh
Amazon is asking the US Federal Communications Commission to approve a constellation of 5,105 additional satellites for its broadband project, and is reportedly keeping its orbital debris risk models confidential as commercial proprietary information. Critics, including space environmentalism advocates, are demanding full public disclosure, arguing that the long-term safety and sustainability of Earth's orbital environment is a shared concern and should not be hidden behind corporate secrecy.
- 2Odds of being hit by falling space junk are rising, experts warn●"For now, people are more likely to be struck by lightning than by falling space junk. But those odds are shifting. Sean
Experts, including former NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe, warn that while being struck by falling space debris remains far less likely than a lightning strike, those odds are shifting as more objects reenter the atmosphere. They argue governments and companies should be required to use materials that fully burn up on reentry to reduce the risk to people on the ground.
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The Council of the European Union has moved to strengthen the EU's architecture for responding to threats in space. The step is part of broader European efforts to protect satellites and space infrastructure that underpin communications, navigation and security. The announcement comes as concerns grow over anti-satellite weapons, space debris and the vulnerability of critical orbital assets.
- 4Cold War-era American spy satellite explodes in orbit▼An American Cold War-era spy satellite just exploded above Earth — and nobody knows why
An American spy satellite dating from the Cold War era has broken apart or exploded in orbit above Earth, and the cause remains unknown. The incident raises questions about growing amounts of space debris and the reliability of aging military hardware still circling the planet decades after launch. Experts are watching for possible collision risks to other satellites.
- 5Starfish Space readies Otter craft for NASA debris mission●Starfish Space prepares to launch Otter spacecraft for NASA debris inspection mission 📰 Original title: After seven year
Starfish Space is preparing to launch its Otter spacecraft to carry out a NASA-funded debris inspection mission, roughly seven years after the company was founded. The Otter is designed to rendezvous with and examine objects in orbit, a step toward future satellite servicing and debris removal. Space industry watchers are following the launch closely as a milestone for the young company and for orbital cleanup efforts.
- 6Truckee Meadows Fire restores curbside chipping program▼Truckee Meadows Fire brings back curbside chipping program
Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District has brought back its curbside chipping program, allowing residents to have wildfire-prone brush and yard debris chipped at no cost. The service, aimed at reducing fire risk around homes in the Reno-Tahoe area, was a popular defensible-space measure before being paused. Local coverage highlights its return as good news for neighborhoods in fire-prone Washoe County.
- 7NASA Awards Orbital Safety Analysis Support Services Contract●NASA Awards Orbital Safety Analysis Support Services Contract https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-awards-orbital-safe
NASA has announced the award of a contract for Orbital Safety Analysis Support Services, covering work to assess and help prevent hazards from objects and debris in orbit around Earth. The announcement was released through NASA's official newsroom, and reaction so far has been limited to modest sharing of the release within space and science communities. Details on the contractor, contract value and duration are not specified in the available information.
- 8ESA warns of runaway object growth in low Earth orbit▼ESA’s space environment report warns of “skyrocketing, runaway” objects in low Earth orbit
The European Space Agency has released its annual space environment report, warning that the number of objects in low Earth orbit is increasing at a 'skyrocketing, runaway' pace. The agency cautions that debris from satellite launches, collisions and break-ups is accumulating faster than it can be removed, raising the risk of cascading collisions that could threaten spacecraft and future missions.
- 9Space agencies rally behind the Zero Debris Charter▼Everything you need to know about the Zero Debris Charter
The European Space Agency has published a guide to the Zero Debris Charter, an initiative aiming to eliminate space debris from Earth's orbits. The Charter commits signatories, including space agencies and commercial operators, to debris mitigation targets and sustainable orbital practices as satellite traffic around the planet grows rapidly.
- 10Artemis Accords Nations to Discuss Lunar Debris and Support for Emerging Space Programs●Artemis Accords To Meet on Lunar Debris, Emerging Space Help
Signatories of the Artemis Accords are set to meet to address how to manage debris on the Moon and how established space powers can assist countries with emerging space programs. The talks reflect growing operational activity around lunar missions and the need for shared norms as more nations participate in NASA-led exploration efforts.