Eli5 How do satellites avoid constant destruction from space debris?

Question

In light of the new James Webb telescope being hit by a micrometeoroid causing damage to the mirrors, how do most space satellites avoid complete destruction from random bits of rock or debris floating in space? Shouldn’t probes like voyager be already completely destroyed by random collisions?

In: 2

Answer 1

Space is big. There is lots of room for nothing.

Even asteroid fields are nothing like the movies. They are mostly empty space as well.

But there is always a chance that these space crafts will get hit. The IIS has been hit. They are just playing the odds.