Risk of falling space junk impacting planes is growing, researchers warn [Video]

Space debris plummeting back to Earth could be a growing problem for aircraft, researchers warned in a new study. 

The study authors, all affiliated with Canada’s University of British Columbia, said that the probability of space debris hitting an airplane is small, but the risk is rising due to increases in both space debris reentries and flights. The study focused on rocket bodies, which pose a greater risk because of their size. 

“While the probability of a strike is low, the consequences could be catastrophic,” the researchers said in the study, which was published in Scientific Reports. The study builds on work by the authors presented at the annual International Orbital Debris Conference. 

Space debris and risks to airplanes 

The study authors worked to determine the odds of a rocket body reentering in an airspace. They found that high-density regions immediately around major airports have an 0.8% chance per year of being affected by an uncontrolled reentry, but in “larger but …