BOULDER, Colorado — Researchers are calling for increased attention and better protection against the rising introduction of exotic materials into Earth’s atmosphere from satellite and space hardware re-entry, especially in an era of megaconstellations.

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Leonard David has been reporting on space activities for nearly 50 years. He is the 2010 winner of the prestigious National Space Club Press Award and recently co-authored with Apollo 11’s Buzz Aldrin the book “Mission to Mars — My Vision for Space...