Space debris around Earth
A spacecraft does not disappear from orbit when its mission ends. Inactive satellites, spent rocket stages and fragments remain around Earth. Above Us lets you explore tracked objects and understand how they got there.
Where debris comes from
An upper stage left in orbit after releasing its payload keeps moving under gravity. So does a satellite after a failure or the end of its useful life. Staying in orbit does not require a continuously running engine.
Collisions and explosions produce new fragments. A switched-off spacecraft may still have fuel and pressure in its tanks or energy in its batteries. Safe disposal therefore needs planning before control is lost.
What you can explore on the map
Open the section and switch between rocket bodies, inactive spacecraft and fragments. Positions are calculated from Space-Track orbital elements. The object count describes the loaded selection, not the entire debris population.
Use the map to compare object distributions and orbital heights. Dots appearing close together do not by themselves indicate a dangerous encounter: the visualization does not assess collision probability.
Why some orbits take longer to clear
In low orbits, the thin atmosphere gradually removes orbital energy. Decay time depends on altitude, an object’s shape and mass, atmospheric conditions and solar activity. Natural drag is much weaker at greater heights.
Disposing of spacecraft from low orbit, removing stored energy and preventing fragmentation help more than simply waiting. Retired geostationary spacecraft may be moved above the working region. This clears space for operations but does not remove the object from space.