Kessler Syndrome

Also known as the Ablation Cascade, suggested by Donald J. Kessler in 1978, is the phenomenon where low Earth orbit becomes so populated with satellites and debris, that any collision produces more debris that in turn causes more collisions, until an entire sphere of debris makes space inaccessible and dangerous.

Examples

• 2013 Gravity

  The premise of the film is an ablation cascade, which serves to periodically create issues for the protagonist.