Keeping an eye on the increasing amount of space debris is no easy task (Image: European Space Agency / Rex Features)

A WORLDWIDE network of radar stations could tackle the ever-growing problem of space debris – the remains of old rockets and satellites that pose an increasing threat to spacecraft.

The US government is launching a competition, which will run until the end of 2010, to find the best way of tracking pieces of junk down to the size of a pool ball. Three aerospace companies – Northrop Grumman, Lockheed-Martin and Raytheon – have each been awarded $30 million by US …