Broadband expansion could trigger dangerous surge in space junk

Increase in orbital traffic from thousands of communications satellites could lead to 50% rise in catastrophic crashes, says study

Plans to launch "mega constellations" of thousands of communications satellites to allow for global wireless internet could lead to a rise in collisions and build-up of dangerous space junk in Earth's orbit, a study warns.

Google, SpaceX, Boeing and Samsung are among the companies vying to launch global broadband networks by deploying thousands of tiny satellites into low orbit. The first launches are planned for next year.