Satellites collide for the first time

For the first time ever, two communication satellites in orbit have collided, which goes to show just how congested space is becoming.

The two satellites were destroyed, releasing debris over the planet, although it is believed that there is no danger because they were in an orbit of five hundred miles.

However, with the international space station holding an orbit of just 220 miles, there were fears that it could be caught up in the debris.

The incident happened when a US Iridium phone satellite hit a non-functioning Russian satellite.

There are around three thousand satellites in orbit, and at the same time there are around fifteen thousand other manmade objects in orbit too.

According to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics there is a fifty per cent chance of collisions every four to five years, but as more satellites are launched these estimates need to be revised.