Space Junk: Can We Clean Up Earth’s Orbit?

Emerging Tech Debates

In this episode, we tackle a growing crisis above our heads: space junk. As Earth's orbit becomes crowded with defunct satellites, rocket remnants, and debris fragments, our dependence on space for communication, weather tracking, and navigation is at risk.

Can we clean up the mess? Or is this orbital pollution already out of control?

We explore cutting-edge solutions — from robotic collectors to laser systems — alongside the legal, political, and economic challenges of enforcing a global cleanup. Plus, we dig into the dual-use dilemma: could these cleanup tools be repurposed as space weapons?

Tune in as we unpack the future of orbital sustainability — and what’s at stake if we don’t act.