Why don't we launch our waste into space? - Jim Bentley and Imogen Ellen Napper episode artwork

EPISODE · May 20, 2026 · 7 MIN

Why don't we launch our waste into space? - Jim Bentley and Imogen Ellen Napper

from TED-Ed · host TED-Ed

Dig into why there is so much trash orbiting Earth, and find out what could happen if the debris continues to accumulate.--There are over 131 million pieces of debris currently whipping around the planet. They range in size from a grain of sand to the size of an entire bus. These orbital debris pose a serious threat to the thousands of satellites that underpin Earth’s vital technologies. So, how can we save our satellites and ourselves from all this trash? Jim Bentley and Imogen Ellen Napper investigate.Lesson by Jim Bentley and Imogen Ellen Napper, directed by Franz Palomares.Support Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-weirdest-stuff-orbiting-earth-jim-bentley-and-imogen-ellen-napperDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-weirdest-stuff-orbiting-earth-jim-bentley-and-imogen-ellen-napper/digdeeper----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory, Blas Borde, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Adam Pagan, Wes Winn, Conder Shou, ntiger, Noname, Hansan Hu, David D, Mac Hyney, Keith Ellison, robin valero walters, Lynne Truesdale, Gatsby Dkdc, Matthew Neal, Denis Chon, Julian Oberhofer, Monte Carroll, Eddy, Jay M, Constantino Victor Delgado, Andrea Galvagni, Andrew Tweddle, Laurel-Ann Rice, Fernando A. Endo, Helen Lee, pam morgan, sarim haq, Gerardo Castro, Michel-Ange Hortegat, Enes Kirimi, Amaury BISIAUX, ND, Samyogita Hardikar, Vanessa Graulich, Vandana Gunwani, Abdulmohsin Almadi, AJ Lyon, Geoffrey Bultitude, Mi Mi, Thomas Rothert, Brian Elieson, Oge O, and Weronika Falkowska. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dig into why there is so much trash orbiting Earth, and find out what could happen if the debris continues to accumulate.--There are over 131 million pieces of debris currently whipping around the planet. They range in size from a grain of sand to the size of an entire bus. These orbital debris pose a serious threat to the thousands of satellites that underpin Earth’s vital technologies. So, how can we save our satellites and ourselves from all this trash? Jim Bentley and Imogen Ellen Napper investigate.Lesson by Jim Bentley and Imogen Ellen Napper, directed by Franz Palomares.Support Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-weirdest-stuff-orbiting-earth-jim-bentley-and-imogen-ellen-napperDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-weirdest-stuff-orbiting-earth-jim-bentley-and-imogen-ellen-napper/digdeeper----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory, Blas Borde, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Adam Pagan, Wes Winn, Conder Shou, ntiger, Noname, Hansan Hu, David D, Mac Hyney, Keith Ellison, robin valero walters, Lynne Truesdale, Gatsby Dkdc, Matthew Neal, Denis Chon, Julian Oberhofer, Monte Carroll, Eddy, Jay M, Constantino Victor Delgado, Andrea Galvagni, Andrew Tweddle, Laurel-Ann Rice, Fernando A. Endo, Helen Lee, pam morgan, sarim haq, Gerardo Castro, Michel-Ange Hortegat, Enes Kirimi, Amaury BISIAUX, ND, Samyogita Hardikar, Vanessa Graulich, Vandana Gunwani, Abdulmohsin Almadi, AJ Lyon, Geoffrey Bultitude, Mi Mi, Thomas Rothert, Brian Elieson, Oge O, and Weronika Falkowska. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Why don't we launch our waste into space? - Jim Bentley and Imogen Ellen Napper

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This episode was published on May 20, 2026.

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Dig into why there is so much trash orbiting Earth, and find out what could happen if the debris continues to accumulate.--There are over 131 million pieces of debris currently whipping around the planet. They range in size from a grain of sand to...

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