space junk: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical, journalistic, academic
Quick answer
What does “space junk” mean?
Discarded human-made objects in orbit around Earth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Discarded human-made objects in orbit around Earth.
A collective term for all defunct, non-functional, and fragmentary debris in space, including spent rocket stages, old satellites, and fragments from collisions or explosions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is identical in both dialects. 'Space debris' is a more formal synonym used in official contexts globally.
Connotations
Same connotations of danger and clutter in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly more common in US media due to NASA's prominence in space discussions, but widely used in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “space junk” in a Sentence
[verb] + space junk (e.g., monitor, remove, create)space junk + [verb] (e.g., orbits, threatens, collides)[adjective] + space junk (e.g., hazardous, man-made)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “space junk” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The agency plans to space-junk the old probe by pushing it into a decaying orbit.
- We cannot afford to space-junk our orbital neighbourhood.
American English
- The company was fined for space-junking the upper stage without a deorbit plan.
- We need treaties to prevent nations from space-junking.
adjective
British English
- The space-junk issue is a growing concern for all satellite operators.
American English
- They are developing space-junk mitigation technologies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in aerospace industry risk assessments and insurance.
Academic
Central term in astrodynamics, aerospace engineering, and space policy papers.
Everyday
Appears in news reports about satellites and space missions.
Technical
Precise term for catalogued and uncatalogued objects in Earth orbit.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “space junk”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “space junk”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “space junk”
- Using plural 'space junks' (it's uncountable).
- Confusing it with meteoroids (which are natural).
- Misspelling as 'spacejunk' (requires a space).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Space junk is human-made debris, while meteoroids are natural rocky or metallic objects in space.
In low Earth orbit, it can travel at speeds around 28,000 kilometres per hour (17,500 mph).
Yes, smaller pieces often burn up in the atmosphere, but larger objects can survive re-entry, usually falling into uninhabited areas like oceans.
A theoretical scenario where the density of space junk is so high that collisions create more debris, leading to a cascading chain reaction that could render certain orbits unusable.
Discarded human-made objects in orbit around Earth.
Space junk is usually technical, journalistic, academic in register.
Space junk: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspeɪs ˌdʒʌŋk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspeɪs ˌdʒʌŋk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(like) navigating a junkyard (in orbit)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a junkyard, but instead of old cars on the ground, it's old satellites floating in space.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPACE IS AN ENVIRONMENT (that can be polluted); ORBIT IS A HIGHWAY (littered with hazards).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a primary source of space junk?