Planetes is a hard science fiction manga and anime set in the near future, following the crew of a space debris collection ship. The story explores the daily lives, dangers, and personal struggles of astronauts and technicians working in Earth's orbit, focusing on the moral and practical challenges of cleaning up space junk. Readers enjoy it for its realistic, grounded portrayal of space exploration, the emotional depth of its characters, and its thoughtful themes about humanity, responsibility, and the cost of progress.