How dangerous is space debris?

Space is a contested area. World powers and private corporations alike are launching more and more rockets and satellites into space. But these constructions all leave behind scrap metal, which continues to orbit the earth at high speed. For almost 60 years, Americans, Russians, numerous other nations and an increasing number of private companies have been launching rockets and satellites into space. Once these rockets and satellites exceed their lifespan, they usually remain in orbit. Millions of pieces of debris are now orbiting hundreds of kilometers above our heads, at breakneck speed.

This 19-year-old can keep astronauts safe from space junk

When 15-year-old Amber Yang first heard about space trash it gave her nightmares. How could such an imminent threat to space exploration be left on the back burner? After seeing videos with astronaut Scott Kelly, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Within a few years she consumed all the media she could on space debris, taught herself to code, and learned the ins and outs of astrophysics. By 18 she had developed an AI-based space debris tracking program that she claims is one of the most accurate in the world.