Earth orbit congested? Why space debris poses a major problem.
"This chain reaction can make certain orbits become unsafe and unusable over time as debris continues to collide and fragment again and again, creating a cascading effect," the ESA says in a summary.
The agency estimates at least three satellites or rocket bodies fall back to Earth every day.
Where does space debris comes from?
Since 1957, the United States has launched 11,969 objects into space, according to Our World in Data. The United States, Russia and China are responsible for 96% of orbital debris. Each nation has contributed about a third of the debris.
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Space debris brings increased risk of uncontrolled reentries
There are still few regulated reentry plans for most rocket launches, which means many rocket bodies aren't controlled as they reenter the atmosphere.
In 2024, there were a record 120 uncontrolled rocket debris reentries and 258 successful rocket launches. More than 2,300 rocket bodies orbiting the Earth can't be controlled and will eventually reenter the atmosphere, according to Nature.com. For the first time, controlled reentries of rocket bodies outnumbered uncontrolled reentries, according to the ESA.
Where is most of the space debris?
Space debris usually travels within 1,200 miles of the Earth's surface, or in low Earth orbit. Orbits fall into three basic categories:
Low : The majority of research satellites, such as the fleet of NASA's Earth Observing System.
: The majority of research satellites, such as the fleet of NASA's Earth Observing System. Medium : Navigation and specialized satellites, intended to observe a specific area.
: Navigation and specialized satellites, intended to observe a specific area. High: Most weather and communications satellites.
Why is space debris a problem?
There are roughly 1.1 million debris fragments larger than 0.04 inches and about 40,500 fragments larger than 4 inches in orbit according to the ESA. NASA states that debris can reach speeds of 18,000 mph. That's 10 times faster than a bullet, so even a paint chip can harm sensitive satellite electronics and solar arrays or tear a spacesuit.
Even though most satellites are engineered to burn up upon reentry, the amount of debris is growing, which could endanger current and future missions.
More: Space junk: the impact of global warming on satellites | The Excerpt
What's the risk of being hit by a piece of falling space debris?
Your risk of being injured by falling space debris is less than 1 in 100 billion, the ESA says. That means you have much better odds of winning a Powerball jackpot at 1 in 292 million.
Though it's not zero, your chances of being hit by a falling satellite are 65,000 times lower than the risk of being struck by lightning and three times lower than the risk of being struck by a meteorite, the ESA says.
CONTRIBUTING James Powel, Eric Lagatta, Jim Sergent and Robert Abitbol
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