# 13,000 tonnes of space junk clutters Earth orbit. Here’s how it could be cleaned up

> **Newsylist Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-01 07:15 UTC · Category: Science · Sources: 5 · Current Velocity: 2.8

## Executive Summary
Earth's orbit is currently cluttered with 13,000 tonnes of space debris, prompting a search for viable cleanup solutions.

## Intelligence Brief
Approximately 13,000 tonnes of space junk are currently orbiting Earth. The buildup of this debris in low-Earth orbit has created a systemic challenge that experts are now seeking to address.


Coverage from The Conversation, The Economist, and The East Hampton Star emphasizes the scale of the debris and evaluates potential methods for cleaning up the orbit. The National Air and Space Museum also addresses the existence of trash in space.


Future developments will focus on the specific strategies and actions required to remove the debris from orbit, as explored in recent reporting.

## Verified Facts & Key Claims
### How much space junk is currently in Earth orbit?
According to coverage from The Conversation, there are 13,000 tonnes of space junk cluttering the orbit.

### Where is this debris primarily located?
The East Hampton Star identifies the debris as being in low-Earth orbit.

### Are there plans to address the issue?
The Economist and The Conversation are examining what can be done and how the debris could be cleaned up.

## Key People, Organizations & Locations
Earth, Space, Skywatch, A Junkyard, Low-Earth Orbit, Is There Trash

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Published (UTC) | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| The East Hampton Star | A Junkyard in Low-Earth Orbit | 2026-06-30 20:11 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifkFVX3lxTFBWY0w0U29MUXRtc0E4Y2pVSTZBY0p6RTI3ZzBMWlYycGFGOEV2U083c0F4TmZfZTVlT1NLMl9TanpQZndQS1QwNkNSaElqbWd6NDY3alhJU2taRUxQYWR3NGlUdmhEN2dST2h5MlV3a3U3UlB2ODdGazZhYXNPQQ?oc=5) |
| National Air and Space Museum | Is There Trash in Space? | 2026-06-30 20:11 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMib0FVX3lxTE5BTFRFRDNFYUtTV2lkeHlMMTNlOXN1WTQtLVA4RWJHUE82dGM3V05wQTY2WDQ4c0hhaHBobklwYTdvcmQyU0c0Tk5zYjNjZzFJN0xSdzZ4ZDNCWjJMTWdQb0l3dUkyQTA3V2JOWEk4QQ?oc=5) |
| WNEP | Skywatch 16 | 2026-06-30 20:11 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi_wFBVV95cUxOSmhIaERIOWRZRmR0Zy1COGpSMlkyUkNZUGpBYXh1QU1obFd3LWN3YWlxb1R1RERLWWlNU2dLSWw0Y2lWc2thNTYya0M0c0pCRDRCand0emozRnlmVWlCb1NWWTJJMGN6MTNSLWktX2ZiZGU1M1JpSFZ2YlE2eW42dlcyS1ROQm5OQk9IRjRIV1NPOERpTlU5cG5YTDRNSVZYVmxWN0R6akdLUE5DZzR5VVJyVjNlbU9IazNMU3hBQVRvUnJldjNaMTdWeEVZRVMzb0l2Y1drNFlTd3BnVklwNGI5WDhhTEtGa0ZISnFUV2xMdmRCSk1JLTdDVUs2RXM?oc=5) |
| The Economist | What to do about space debris? | 2026-06-30 20:11 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMif0FVX3lxTE90a3NDM3lpams5YWhpX1VxYjRfNWJJS1k3bTAxX244X2VobHVLcDFxTDBYNnlUcXJHNnlGYVoyNlpSQ3NDUzZQam1WaENCYlNuc0Z4MXJzQ3B2WU9FYUZha1lDdkx1WlJESlBOSThJYVM2SVBEd29HeVM5NlZwRXM?oc=5) |
| The Conversation | 13,000 tonnes of space junk clutters Earth orbit. Here’s how it could be cleaned up | 2026-06-30 20:11 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitwFBVV95cUxPTjhwME5LTko2RUFHVlQydW94ekE3WU83d3lrTnZ0SGxXamt0eGxIZzgxd2JGVEs1b2E1YmpMOXlqNjVHWnA5N0ItWnBKcUFaOW5ucE1CWTQ2aElMQjRDa3M5eUZnZkJ3WU5WWm1ZVVZwYlQ3bnByM2JhTEFrV3ROVXk5MjhWM2o5MVNKVjlUSFlVYWdoLXdHc0phTlptLU5jUmJ1S2pWci1MVDZSVENpQWw4TGpXRDQ?oc=5) |

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