Space debris encompasses both natural meteoroid and artificial (human-made) orbital debris. Meteoroids are in orbit about the sun, while most artificial debris is in orbit about the Earth (hence the term “orbital” debris). Orbital debris is the term for any object in Earth orbit that no longer serves a useful function. These objects include non-operational spacecraft, derelict launch vehicle stages, mission-related debris, and fragmentation debris. NASA - Orbital Debris Management and Risk Mitigation

July-August-September list of observed objects:

July Observations

5 July, 2026. Observations:

1. SL-16 R/B Rocket Body, (COSPAR ID: 1999-039B, SATCAT: 25861), derelict launch vehicle stages listed in McKnight Top 50 

2. GAOFEN 11 (COSPAR ID: 2018-063A, SATCAT: 43585), civilian remote sensing satellite 

7 July, 2026. Observations:

1. International Space Station (ISS) (COSPAR ID: 1998-067A, SATCAT: 25544)

17 July, 2026. Observations:

1. International Space Station (ISS) (COSPAR ID: 1998-067A, SATCAT: 25544)

20 July, 2026. Observations:

1. SL-16 R/B Rocket Body, (COSPAR ID: 1993-059B, SATCAT: 22803), derelict launch vehicle stages listed in McKnight Top 50  

22 July, 2026. Observations:

1. SL-16 R/B Rocket Body, (COSPAR ID: 1993-059B, SATCAT: 22803), derelict launch vehicle stages listed in McKnight Top 50  

2. International Space Station (ISS) (COSPAR ID: 1998-067A, SATCAT: 25544)

25 July, 2026. Observations:

1. GAOFEN 11 (COSPAR ID: 2018-063A, SATCAT: 43585), civilian remote sensing satellite