Scientists warn that space junk is a big threat to aviation.
MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images
Air travel safety is certainly in the spotlight right now.
In fact, it’s only getting safer.
A digital illustration of space junk around the Earth. Space junk consist of debris left in orbit from space missions: abandoned or broken satellites, satellite pieces, tools dropped by astronauts, or even space rocks captured into Earth orbit.Credit:MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images
But between 2020 and 2024, there was just one accident for every 810,000 flights.
The event caused 645 aircraft delays and diverted some planes already set for landing.
Luckily for all, the rocket eventually landed in the Pacific.
The researchers note that the number of daily flights has almost doubled since 2000.
And it wouldn’t take much to damage a plane.
This, they add, showcases the need for answers.
“Uncontrolled rocket body reentries are a design choice, not a necessity.
