Space Junk PICTURES: Space Debris-Monitoring Satellite Set To Launch

PHOTOS: Space Junk Making A Mess In Orbit

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- A satellite that will monitor the clutter in Earth orbit is scheduled to launch Saturday, nearly three months later than originally planned.

The Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite was scheduled to launch on July 8, but it was grounded by concerns about software in the Minotaur IV rocket and a problem in the rocket's electronics.

Officials said there were no problems in the satellite itself.

It's designed to give the Air Force its first full-time, space-based surveillance of satellites and debris in Earth's orbit. It monitors them for possible collisions.

Launch will be at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. A command center at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., will oversee day-to-day operations once in orbit.

As renderings of orbital debris show, the Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite has its work cut out for it. Take a look at incredible images that map the massive amounts of space debris orbiting the Earth in the photos below.

Image credit: NASA

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