A growing concern is emerging among aircraft operators as new research suggests that falling space debris poses a significant risk to air safety. The increased number of reentries and airline flights has heightened the danger, with experts warning that even low probabilities of collisions could lead to catastrophic consequences.
In January, SpaceX’s Starship vehicle experienced a malfunction during launch operations from Texas, resulting in debris arcing into the Atlantic near the Turks and Caicos Islands. The incident prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to activate a Debris Response Area and briefly suspend aircraft flights in the affected area.
New research published in Scientific Reports has shed light on this issue, highlighting the need for proactive measures to mitigate the risk. According to researchers, there is a 26 percent chance of an uncontrolled space debris reentry in busy airspaces each year. The likelihood of collision increases with air traffic density, and economic consequences of flight delays also rise.
The dilemma faced by national authorities is clear: closing airspace to prevent collisions could have significant economic implications, while failing to act could put lives at risk. One potential solution is to require controlled reentries into the ocean for all missions, but this would need to be implemented in conjunction with existing regulations and infrastructure.
With over 2,300 rocket bodies already in orbit, the challenge of managing uncontrolled reentries will remain a pressing concern for decades to come. As the risk continues to escalate, it is essential that authorities take proactive steps to address this issue and prioritize air safety.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/falling-space-debris-is-a-growing-worry-for-aircraft-new-research-suggests