Science Briefs: Space Debris Threat and Warming Mars with Glitter

The breakup of a Chinese rocket stage has generated over 700 debris pieces, endangering more than 1,000 objects in Earth's orbit. Meanwhile, scientists propose using heat-trapping 'glitter' to increase Mars' temperature by 50°F (28°C) over ten years, making it more habitable for humans.

The recent breakup of a Chinese rocket stage has led to more than 700 pieces of space debris, imperiling over 1,000 satellites and other objects in Earth's high-traffic orbit regions, analysts revealed on Friday. This event has raised concerns about potential hazardous collisions in space.

China's state-owned Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) launched 18 internet satellites on Tuesday as the inaugural group of a communications network set to challenge SpaceX's Starlink constellation.

In another significant development, scientists have proposed an innovative method to warm Mars by using engineered particles similar to commercial glitter. These particles, composed of iron or aluminum, would act as aerosols to trap heat and diffuse sunlight toward Mars' surface. This approach aims to increase Mars' surface temperature by 50 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius) over a decade, potentially making the planet more hospitable for human life.

(With inputs from agencies.)