Falling space debris is a growing worry for aircraft, new research suggests

image via Space.com

February 3, 2025, 1:00 PM

• •New research points out that the risk is rising due to increases in both reentries and airline flights.
• •The research points out that, for a given reentry, the collision risk in the underlying airspace increases with the air traffic density.
• •The collision risk could be mitigated if controlled reentries into the ocean were required for all missions, but over 2,300 rocket bodies are already in orbit and will eventually reenter in an uncontrolled manner.

New research points out that the risk of uncontrolled space debris reentries is rising due to increases in both reentries and airline flights. The collision risk in the underlying airspace increases with the air traffic density. The economic consequences of flight delays also increase should that airspace be closed.

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