Why doesn’t the ISS or orbiting satellites ever collide or get hit with misc space junk?
They do collide with space junk. That's why they have to be built to withstand collisions with small objects flying at very high speeds. When explosions happen in space, there's no air resistance to slow down objects after they are thrown at such high velocities.
The Short Answer
They do collide with space junk. That's why they have to be built to withstand collisions with small objects flying at very high speeds. When explosions happen in space, there's no air resistance to slow down objects after they are thrown at such high velocities. So there are things orbiting earth at hundreds of miles per hour. When the objects are too large, they are captured on radar, and most satellites have onboard propulsion systems designed to quickly maneuver such objects. I would imagine there is some sort of database for all satellites currently in orbit and other large objects, but for the most part everything is caught on radar.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Objects, space, high
This explanation focuses on objects, space, high and spans 110 words across 6 sentences. At 62% above the average Space & Astronomy explanation (68 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “They do collide with space junk.” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 6 connected points.
How This Compares in Space & Astronomy
Ranked #91 of 500 Space & Astronomy questions by answer depth (top 19%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why the iss or orbiting satellites ever collide or get hit with misc space junk?
They do collide with space junk. That's why they have to be built to withstand collisions with small objects flying at very high speeds. When explosions happen in space, there's no air resistance to slow down objects after they are thrown at such…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Space & Astronomy questions?
This is one of the most thorough answer at 110 words, ranked #91 of 500 Space & Astronomy questions by depth. The key concepts covered are objects, space, high.
What approach does this answer take to explain the iss or orbiting satellites ever collide or get hit with ?
The explanation uses contrasting perspectives across 110 words. It is categorized under Space & Astronomy and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.