Ars spoke with the military’s chief orbital traffic cop—here’s what we learned

The article discusses an interview with the head of the US military's orbital traffic control, who oversees the monitoring and management of objects in space. The key points are: - There are around 2,000-2,200 active satellites and other objects orbiting the Earth that the military closely tracks, which they refer to as the "red order of battle." - These objects include a mix of commercial, military, and government-owned satellites, as well as debris and other objects. - The military's space command is responsible for predicting and avoiding potential collisions between these objects to ensure the safety of space operations. - Challenges include the rapid growth of commercial space activity and the increasing risk of collisions, which could create more debris and further complicate traffic management. - Coordination with international partners and commercial operators is crucial to maintain situational awareness and mitigate these risks effectively.