January 3, 2020

Definition

Space debris is defined as being all objects created by Men, including fragments thereof or parts detached from them, other than a space vehicle that is active or liable to be used in another way, being on orbit.

The population of human origin objects in orbit around the Earth consists of operational satellites and space debris. However, in the public domain literature, operational space vehicles are sometimes included in the term “space debris” in order to make an easy comparison between the natural environment, which includes meteoroids, and the artificial environment which comprises all the objects created by Men, whether functional or not.

dbs_definition_img1_english.jpg
Space Debris (Artist's Impression) Credits: CNES