There are over 170 million pieces of space junk orbiting Earth right now, and that number is only growing as space orbit becomes more accessible. How are we going to deal with this astronomical littering problem, while keeping up with our satellite-hungry tech needs?

Also, an increase in light and radio pollution is making it harder for astronomers to study the stars. How can space tech companies, governments, and even you do something about it?

Plus, we check in with the latest from SpaceX, and figure out what messages we're sending out into the great unknown on life, love, and the universe.

GUESTS:

• Professor Andy Koronios, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Australasian Space Innovation Institute
• Nick Carter, Lead of the Space Research Group at CSIRO

This episode of Download This Show was made on Gadigal land, Kaurna land, and the Country of the Whadjuk Nyoongar people.

Technical production by Allyse Symons.