The space environment refers to the characteristics and conditions of the outer space including factors such as the vacuum, microgravity, extreme temperatures, radiation, and the presence of space debris. Pollution in space also known as space waste, space trash, space garbage, are human-made objects in space, principally in Earth orbit, which no longer serve a useful function. These include derelict spacecraft, nonfunctional spacecraft, abandoned launch vehicle stages, fragments from explosions, etc. Space debris poses various risks to space activities, including satellite operations, space exploration, and even the safety of astronauts. 

The present of these debris poses several risks both in space and the earth. Although most debris burns up in the atmosphere, larger debris objects can reach the ground intact. According to NASA, an average of one cataloged piece of debris has fallen back to Earth each day for the past 50 years. Despite their size, there has been no significant property damage from the debris. Burning up in the atmosphere also contribute to atmospheric pollution. Some of it effect on space include ; pollutants can collide with satellites and spacecraft disrupting  satellites operations, telecommunication, weather forecasting, navigation systems, and other critical services.

 Proper disposal of satellites or spacecraft at the end of their operational life is essential to avoiding space debris population. However, there are no internationally agreed-upon regulations or guidelines for spacecraft disposal. Some of the effort made to mitigate these pollution include; the Tracking and monitoring by Governments, space agencies, and private companies to reduce the risk of collisions, the present of concepts such as nets, harpoons, and robotic arms to capture and deorbit debris.

Addressing space debris and pollution is essential to ensure the sustainable use of space for current and future space activities, it is also important for the preservation of our sky.