The continued release of greenhouse gases into Earth's atmosphere could increase the longevity of space junk in low Earth orbit, a new paper reveals. Under a high-emissions scenario, this could mean a sharp reduction in the amount of satellites that can safely operate in low Earth orbit by 2100 – putting significant limitations on what humanity can put up there,

Greenhouse gases are eroding the safe carrying capacity for low Earth orbit, a new study concludes. Moreover, the authors calculate that without drastic cuts to emissions, the difference will be marked.