A growing amount of debris in outer space is becoming a top threat to humankind’s efforts to explore the solar system, and at least a portion of the space junk has been created by nefarious activities, according to NASA’s chief. China in particular has been singled out for a 2007 space test that resulted in thousands of needless pieces of debris lingering in Earth’s near orbit.
Jim Bridenstine, the newly appointed administrator of NASA, testified on June 22 before a joint hearing held by the House Joint Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and Subcommittee on Space. Bridenstine was joined by General John Hyten, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, to discuss “space situational awareness,” the understanding of the environment of outer space that is essential for the success of U.S. space activities.
