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Initial stages of most rockets are used to boost them out of Earth's gravity and are separated at low enough altitudes that they simply burn up in Earth's atmosphere. However the 3rd stage of Apollo VII - XVII are expended at great enough of an altitude that they could still be in orbit.

In 1992 an object beleived to be part of Apollo 12's 3rd stage was discovered orbiting the Earth. It had been in a solar orbit prior to being captured by Earth's gravity.

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Is space junk real?

Yes, space junk is real. It consists of defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and other debris left in orbit around Earth. This space debris poses a risk to active satellites and spacecraft in orbit.


How does space junk get in space?

Space junk is usually the result of human-made objects that are no longer operational or have been discarded in space. This includes defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, fragments from collisions, and debris from missions. Over time, these objects can collide with each other, creating more debris and increasing the amount of space junk in orbit.


Where does space junk come from?

Space junk comes from defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and debris from spacecraft collisions or explosions. Over time, these objects break apart and create smaller fragments that continue to orbit Earth. The accumulation of space junk poses a threat to operational satellites and space missions in Earth's orbit.


Is space junk radioactive?

Not all space junk is radioactive. Space debris can consist of defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, or fragments from previous space missions, which may or may not contain radioactive material depending on their original purpose. However, precautions are taken when handling or encountering space junk to ensure safety.


How does space junk get into space?

Space junk gets into space by astronauts dropping there gloves or a tool when they are working at a space station, or things that come off a space station. in other words the only space junk there is, is from us humans.

Related Questions

What happens to the used rocket after the space shuttle launch?

They call it space junk because they just brake off and get left in space


Is space junk real?

Yes, space junk is real. It consists of defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and other debris left in orbit around Earth. This space debris poses a risk to active satellites and spacecraft in orbit.


Why did people send space junk to space?

"Space junk" is an unintended side affect of putting craft into orbit. It is the remnant pieces of the rocket used to launch and old unused hardware that has been abandoned for better technology.


How does space junk get in space?

Space junk is usually the result of human-made objects that are no longer operational or have been discarded in space. This includes defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, fragments from collisions, and debris from missions. Over time, these objects can collide with each other, creating more debris and increasing the amount of space junk in orbit.


Where does space junk come from?

Space junk comes from defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and debris from spacecraft collisions or explosions. Over time, these objects break apart and create smaller fragments that continue to orbit Earth. The accumulation of space junk poses a threat to operational satellites and space missions in Earth's orbit.


Is space junk radioactive?

Not all space junk is radioactive. Space debris can consist of defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, or fragments from previous space missions, which may or may not contain radioactive material depending on their original purpose. However, precautions are taken when handling or encountering space junk to ensure safety.


How does space junk get into space?

Space junk gets into space by astronauts dropping there gloves or a tool when they are working at a space station, or things that come off a space station. in other words the only space junk there is, is from us humans.


Where does the Space junk that orbits the Earth come from?

Space junk that orbits the Earth comes from a variety of sources, including defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and debris produced from collisions or explosions in space. It can also be caused by fragments from disintegration, erosion, and other debris-producing events. Over time, this space debris poses a threat to functioning satellites and spacecraft in orbit.


Are some rocket bodies reused for launching?

Yes the US Space shuttle is re usable and the external tank and solid rocket boosters are also re used.


What forces are involved when a rocket travels through space?

When a rocket travels through space, the main forces involved are thrust generated by the rocket engines and gravity from celestial bodies, such as planets and stars. The rocket's engines provide the necessary thrust to overcome gravity and accelerate the rocket. In space, there is no air resistance, so the main force opposing motion is gravity.


What is space junk?

There is plenty of space junk , space debris, orbital debris or space waste.These are the human objects that orbit around Earth that no longer serve any useful purpose.They consist of everything from entire spent rocket stages, defunct satellites, to explosion fragments, paint flakes, dust, and slag from solid rocket motors, coolant released by Russian nuclear powered satellites, deliberate insertion of small needles (artificial ionosphere), and other small particles.See related link for more details.


Can you ride an airplane to the moon?

No. An airplane is not designed to fly out of the Earth's atmosphere, only a space rocket has the ability to fly to other celestial bodies and space stations.