Up until a decade ago, China had launched no more than 20 rockets per year. But in 2022, this number skyrocketed to 64 and reached an astonishing 93 last year, making it the second most productive space power globally.

In contrast, established norms for disposing of rocket stages are being ignored, leading to a growing problem in orbit. Countries like Russia remain the worst offenders with over 800 metric tons of rocket bodies in long-lived orbits between 600 km and 2,000 km above Earth’s surface.

The United States has about 57 metric tons, but these numbers are relatively stable or declining as stages fall out of orbit. However, China’s rapid launches could exacerbate the issue if proper disposal practices aren’t adopted.

Despite SpaceX’s success in revolutionizing space travel, China’s approach highlights a potential blind spot in the global space race. As the number of satellites and rockets increases, so does the risk of debris accumulating in orbit, potentially threatening future missions and international cooperation.