NASA and SpaceX are working to reduce the dangers of space debris

WASHINGTON – NASA now acknowledges that debris from SpaceX missions may not burn completely when it enters Earth’s atmosphere as previously suggested, increasing the risk of surface impacts.

According to the space agency, there have been at least five known cases of debris intended to disintegrate reaching the Earth’s surface.

Fortunately, none of these events resulted in human injury or significant property damage. However, a small change in the trajectory would have increased the risks for property owners and aviation.

The most recent discovery of debris occurred on a private mountaintop outside Asheville, North Carolina, where ground rangers came across part of a trunk from a Dragon spacecraft.

The trunk, which is designed to carry cargo into space, remains attached to the spacecraft until shortly before reentry, where the sections separate.

PIECE OF EXPECTED SPACE POINT FOUND IN COUNTRYSIDE OF NORTH CAROLINA

“During the original design, the Dragon spacecraft trunk was evaluated for disintegration upon reentry and was predicted to burn completely,” a NASA spokesperson said. “The information from the debris recovery provides teams with the opportunity to improve debris modeling. NASA and SpaceX will continue to explore additional solutions as we learn from the discovered debris.”

It’s unclear what adjustments SpaceX might make to spacecraft to minimize the risk of debris falling throughout the atmosphere.

The space company has not publicly commented on any of the discoveries, despite the pieces of space junk gaining viral attention.

NASA warns there is the potential for more space debris after the SpaceX Crew-8 returns from the International Space Station in August.

If parts of the crew’s trunk follow a similar timeline to previous debris, the objects will remain in low Earth orbit until early fall, before possibly descending over a community or into one of the planet’s vast oceans.

SEE THE OBJECTS PEOPLE LEAVE BEHIND ON THE MOON

Who is liable for damage caused by space debris?

So far, debris from SpaceX missions has landed harmlessly in mostly rural areas on the planet.

In the rare event that damage or injury is caused by falling space debris, a 1972 agreement determines who is responsible.

According to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, “A launch state is absolutely liable to pay compensation for damage caused by its space object on the Earth’s surface or to aircraft in flight.”

Despite the US tracking some 45,400 objects in space, the chance of them actually being hit by debris is estimated at less than one in a trillion.

A Florida man recently beat the odds when a piece of discarded hardware from the International Space Crash station crashed through his Naples-area home in March.

Fortunately, no one was injured by the approximately two kilo object, but it did cause damage to the home.

A lawyer representing the family has filed a claim with NASA seeking compensation for the damage.

“Space debris is a real and serious problem due to the increase in space traffic in recent years,” Mica Nguyen Worthy, an attorney at Cranfill Sumner LLP, said in a statement.

NASA advises anyone who comes across a piece of space debris to never touch the object and to contact local authorities.

SpaceX has set up a hotline at 1-866-623-0234 for witnesses to contact if debris is discovered during its missions.