Space junk continuing to accumulate

WASHINGTON (AP) -- More than 9,000 pieces of space debris are orbiting the Earth, a hazard that can only be expected to get worse in the next few years, according to NASA scientists. And currently there's no workable and economic way to clean up the mess.

The pieces of space junk measuring 4 inches or more total some 5,500 tons, according to a report by J.C. Liou and N. L. Johnson in Friday's issue of the journal Science.

Even if space launches were halted now -- which will not happen -- the collection of debris would continue growing as items already in orbit collide with one another and break into more pieces, Liou said in a telephone interview.

"On the other hand, we are not claiming the sky is falling," he said, "We just need to understand what the risks are."
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