In the expanse of outer space, an increasingly concerning phenomenon unfolds: space debris. Left from decades of human space exploration, this debris consists of abandoned satellites, spent rocket stages, and other discarded materials which are all orbiting Earth.

While often unseen, the presence of this cosmic clutter poses significant risks to spacecrafts and satellites, threatening the integrity of future space missions.

In the third episode of “SciScoop,” Isabella Zarzar speaks with John Crassidis, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University at Buffalo in New York. He’s an expert in space debris and works with NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, and other agencies to monitor space debris.