A new report has highlighted the growing risk of catastrophic collisions between aircraft and uncontrolled space debris, with over 2,300 rocket bodies in Earth’s orbit posing a threat to aviation safety. The report, published in Nature, warns that even low probabilities of collision can have devastating consequences.
Experts from the University of British Columbia estimate that the risk of an aircraft being affected by uncontrolled space debris reaches as high as 26% in areas of busy airspace. This risk is increasing due to a sharp rise in rocket launches and the resulting uncontrolled reentries of space debris.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are now expected to consider the growing threat of falling space debris, which could lead to increased restrictions on air traffic. The FAA has already taken steps to address the issue by creating a Debris Response Area around SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas.
While there have been no civilian fatalities from falling space debris, experts warn that this could change as commercial space launches continue to increase. The number of close calls is escalating, with reports of space debris crashing on land and injuring people.
The problem of space debris has spiralled out of control since the 1950s, with nearly 30,000 objects bigger than a softball hurtling above Earth at speeds up to ten times faster than a bullet. This poses significant risks to satellites and the International Space Station, as well as human safety on the ground.
As the space-faring era continues to expand, it is only a matter of time before we see our first casualty from man-made space objects. With the increasing number of launches and uncontrolled reentries, experts are urging authorities to take action to mitigate this growing threat.
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/tech/13449427/space-debris-rocket-parts-plane-flight-risk