A new study warns that the increasing number of satellites in orbit could lead to a devastating collision between space debris and passenger airplanes. Researchers at the University of British Columbia modeled the paths of falling rocket bodies and compared them to global flight data, revealing a growing risk.
The explosion of satellite launches, such as SpaceX’s Starlink, has led to an increase in reentries of space objects. With many private companies launching satellites rapidly, the problem is expected to worsen in the coming years. Currently, over 2,300 rocket bodies are orbiting Earth and are destined for uncontrolled reentry.
Even small debris pieces, as little as one gram, can cause significant damage to a plane’s windshield or engine. The risk of a plane being hit by space debris is estimated to be nearly 1 in 100,000 in 2021. Authorities often close large swathes of airspace as a precaution, causing flight delays and cancellations.
Researchers propose controlled rocket reentry technology as a solution to the problem. However, this type of technology is currently used in less than 35% of launches. The study warns that authorities will face the challenge of uncontrolled reentries for decades to come, highlighting the need for urgent government and private sector collaboration.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/space/space-debris-striking-planes-study-warns