Space Debris
Your mission: Just like astronauts who sometimes have to avoid space debris, you will become aware of human-caused pollution in space and develop a solution for this growing problem.
This resource was created by Space Expo, Netherlands 2025
Space debris consists of any human-made objects in Earth’s orbit that are no longer operational. This often includes defunct satellites or discarded rocket stages, but sometimes even small fragments of metal or paint. Satellites are rarely retrieved when they stop working, and some even become uncontrollable from Earth, increasing the risk of collisions. These collisions, in turn, generate even more space debris, potentially leading to a chain reaction of crashes in orbit. To prevent this, fewer objects should be launched in the first place, but space activities must also become more sustainable by reusing components wherever possible. Additionally, space debris needs to be actively removed. In the meantime, the International Space Station (ISS) sometimes has to adjust its altitude to avoid debris, and astronauts must be ready to take shelter in their return capsule if necessary.
Awareness, Sustainability, Collaboration
Understand how humans have polluted, and continue to pollute, space – particularly the area around Earth.
Become aware of the extent of this pollution.
Explore solutions for the increasing number of satellites around Earth, focusing on sustainable ways to remove defunct satellites.
- PowerPoint presentation
- Paper
- Drawing and Crafting Materials
Explore more Mission X activities!
Your Mission: Explore the anatomy of the hand and build a bionic hand from cardboard. In a near future, it …
You have just had a great day of exploring the Moon, but it’s time to head back to the base …
Join ESA astronaut, Samantha Cristoforetti and Jaime from Cosmic Kids on a brand new adventure… Yoga in Space! Follow along …
Your Mission: Perform a series of somersaults on the ground to improve body coordination, flexibility, balance and strengthen your back, …
Your Mission: Perform an activity that blends together squats, pushups, and jumping in the air (burpees) to promote muscular strength, …
Let’s HIIT the space gym and get ready to sweat! To keep those hearts and lungs healthy, perform a series …
Your Mission: Perform an exercise with balls of different weights, as if you were in different gravitational conditions, to strengthen …
Your Mission: Measure different body parts and explore how these measurements might change in space. How tall are you? Are …
Your Mission: Follow Samantha’s routine on the ISS for one week and compare her daily tasks to yours. Observe your …
Your Mission: Investigate the relationship between microorganisms and many every day products. Microbes live everywhere, including outer space! Scientists have …
EN 
CZ 
DA 
NL 
ET 
FI 
FR 
DE 
EL 
IT 
JA 
LV 
NO 
PL 
PT 
RO 
ES 
SV 
HU 
SL 
TR