---
title: "NASA Head Slams United States for “Shameful” Space Junk"
description: "NASA administrator Bill Nelson has some strong feelings on the topic of space junk, as evidenced in a recent interview with CNN."
date: "2021-06-09"
modified: "2021-06-09"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/nasa-head-slams-united-states-for-shameful-space-junk"
categories:
  - "NASA"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "NASA"
  - "space debris"
  - "space junk"
  - "the digest"
---

# NASA Head Slams United States for “Shameful” Space Junk

![NASA administrator Bill Nelson has some strong feelings on the topic of space junk, as evidenced in a recent interview with CNN.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/nasa-head-slams-united-states-for-shameful-space-junk.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/S4-space-junk-045.jpg" target="\_blank"\>Miguel Soares/Futurism\</a\>\</em\>*

## For Shame

According to NASA administrator Bill Nelson, the issue of space junk is about to become a lot more relevant as we spend more and more time in Earth's orbit — and, he admitted, it's partially the fault of the United States.

"It's dangerous, and shameful for anybody — including the US — that has allowed space debris to be up there," Nelson [told *CNN*](<https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/08/tech/nasa-bill-nelson-full-interview-transcript-scn/index.html>) in an interview on Tuesday.

In fact, with companies including Amazon and SpaceX hoping to launch tens of thousands of satellites into low-Earth orbit, the issue could be about to get much worse, despite promises these satellites would end up harmlessly burning up in the atmosphere once retired.

## Space Disgrace

The US isn't the only contributor to the problem of space junk. Nelson cited a Chinese government test that involved intentionally blowing up a satellite, generating "thousands of pieces of space debris" at around 150 to 350 miles up, within the range of the International Space Station.

China is making major strides in space exploration, recently becoming only the second nation to softly land a rover on Mars and in the process setting the stage for the next space race.

When asked if we're in for "another space race," Nelson replied "I hope not. But it is clear that China is developing very sophisticated space capabilities."

The US would benefit far more if it were to work with China. "We also want to cooperate on managing space debris, because that junk is lethal."

The risks are very real.

"If it hits something like our space station or an astronaut during a spacewalk, it would puncture the spacesuit," Nelson told *CNN*. "That would be instant death."

**READ MORE:** [NASA's new chief on SpaceX's Mars rocket, UFOs and going back to the moon](<https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/08/tech/nasa-bill-nelson-full-interview-transcript-scn/index.html>) \[*CNN*\]

**More on space junk:** *[Space Debris Blasts Hole in Space Station’s Robotic Arm](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/space-debris-hole-stations-robotic-arm>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)