Cedarville Students Use AI To Tackle Space Debris

Low Earth orbit - the region of space extending approximately 1,200 miles above Earth's surface - supports thousands of communications, navigation and Earth-observation satellites that enable critical services, including global internet connectivity, weather forecasting, disaster monitoring and scientific research.

As the number of satellites in low Earth orbit continues to increase, this strategically important region of space is becoming increasingly congested with orbital debris, raising concerns about collision risks, operational safety and the long-term sustainability of future space missions.

What Is Orbital Debris and Why Does It Matter?

This growing challenge gained renewed attention in June, when the U.S. Space Force confirmed the breakup of a Chinese rocket in a heavily trafficked section of low Earth orbit. According to officials, the incident generated additional debris near both the International Space Station and SpaceX's Starlink broadband network. Starlink, which consists of more than 10,000 satellites, provides high-speed internet access to users across more than 160 countries and territories. Space experts warn that increasing amounts of orbital debris could threaten active satellites, disrupt communications infrastructure and complicate future commercial and government space operations worldwide.