In the early days of space exploration, technology and understanding of sustainable space practices were still developing. Early missions, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s, focused primarily on achieving significant milestones such as sending satellites into orbit, manned missions, and eventually, landing on the Moon. Consequently, space debris was not a significant consideration during this period.
The launch vehicles and spacecraft used were not designed with debris mitigation in mind. As a result, discarded rocket stages, defunct satellites, fragments from disintegration, and debris from accidental collisions began accumulating in Earth’s orbit. This situation wasn’t unique to any one nation’s space program; both the United States and the Soviet Union, along with other countries, frequently left spent rocket stages and defunct satellites in orbit.
Over time, as understanding of the potential hazards related to space debris grew, measures were introduced to minimize space debris. Efforts such as de-orbiting defunct satellites and designing mission end-of-life plans to reduce collisional risks are now standard practices. International guidelines and agreements have further emphasized the importance of reducing debris to ensure the sustainability of space activities. Thus, while debris was indeed launched “back in the day,” current and future missions actively strive to minimize their debris footprint.