NASA and Russian Satellite's Close Encounter Underscores Space Debris Dangers

The near-miss event between two non-maneuverable satellites highlights the urgent need for effective space traffic management.

A near-miss between NASA's TIMED spacecraft and the defunct Russian Cosmos 2221 satellite occurred, with the two coming within 20 meters of each other.
The incident highlights the growing concern over space debris and the potential for catastrophic collisions in low Earth orbit.
NASA and the Department of Defense continue to monitor the situation, emphasizing the non-maneuverability of both satellites.
Experts warn that a collision could have increased low-Earth orbit debris by up to 50%, posing a significant risk to other satellites and human spaceflight.
Efforts to mitigate space debris are underway, but the incident underscores the urgency of developing effective space traffic management strategies.