Actually the Kesler syndrome, a space debriss cascade is a very real threat and a real concern. I suggest an interview with the commander of the space control quadron in a radiolab episode "Little Big Questions"
> the Kesler syndrome, a space debriss cascade is a very real threat and a real concern
It’s also widely misunderstood.
The risk is in trashing specific orbits. Below 600 km, that would mean certain orbits are too polluted to use for a few months to years. (A dense, compact object above 600 km could stay lofted for decades to over a century. But again, only within a predictable volume.)
It's actually mostly because we allow objects to fly too high. Small height differences have a huge difference in orbital lifetime (and therefore risk).
It’s also widely misunderstood.
The risk is in trashing specific orbits. Below 600 km, that would mean certain orbits are too polluted to use for a few months to years. (A dense, compact object above 600 km could stay lofted for decades to over a century. But again, only within a predictable volume.)