Space Jam

Space is getting crowded. The biggest challenge is space junk—the debris that results when satellites break up or get shot down. If we aren’t careful, space junk, and space conflict, could cause a lot of problems down here on Earth.

Play Button Pause Button
0:00 0:00
x
Host
  • Gabrielle Sierra
    Director, Podcasting
Credits

Asher Ross - Supervising Producer

Markus Zakaria - Audio Producer and Sound Designer

Rafaela Siewert - Associate Podcast Producer

Episode Guests
  • Charles F. Bolden
    Former Administrator of NASA
  • Stewart M. Patrick
    James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance and Director of the International Institutions and Global Governance Program
  • Lt. Gen. David D. Thompson
    Vice Commander, U.S. Air Force Space Command

Show Notes

We often envision space as a dark, empty void. But in recent decades, Earth’s orbital zone has become crowded and dangerous. One factor is the proliferation of satellites, many of them privately owned. Another is space junk, or the growing mass of debris left behind when satellites break up or are shot down. Some experts say that, without new rules of the road, space junk—and the militarization of space—could lead to catastrophe. 

 

From CFR

 

The Danger of Space Debris,” Micah Zenko

 

Space Exploration and U.S. Competitiveness,” Steven J. Markovich and Andrew Chatzky

 

Read More

 

The Right Way to Achieve Security in Space,” Foreign Affairs

 

Space Threat Assessment 2019, Center for Strategic and International Studies 

 

Space war is coming—and the U.S. is not ready,” Politico

 

Is there anything we can do to tackle space debris?,” MIT Technology Review

 

Meet the Space Custodians: Debris Cleanup Plans Emerge,” Space.com

 

The Danger of Space Junk,” Atlantic

 

Watch and Listen

 

Space Junk Around Earth,” DCODE by Discovery

 

End of Space–Creating a Prison for Humanity,” Kurzgesagt

 

This 19-year-old can keep astronauts safe from space junk,” Vox 

Inequality

Female representation in politics leads to numerous benefits, but the vast majority of the world’s most powerful politicians are men. Using the Council on Foreign Relations’ Women’s Power Index tool to track women’s leadership across the globe, this episode examines the problems that arise from a shortage of female leaders.

Robots and Artificial Intelligence

The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought lawmakers and industry leaders to the same conclusion: regulation is necessary to ensure the technology changes the world for the better. The similarities could end there, as governments and industry clash on what those laws should do, and different governments take increasingly divergent approaches. What are the stakes of the debate over AI regulation?

Top Stories on CFR

United States

Amid renewed calls for changes in the world order, U.S. President Joe Biden sought to stress his support for greater inclusion of developing nations in addressing economic, social, and climate concerns.

Climate Change

United States

To reverse the three decade long decline in the United States' share of semiconductor manufacturing, a concerted effort is required.