Could Space Junk Put Air Travel at Risk?

"A growing number of airlines are teaming up with satellite internet providers like Starlink and Project Kuiper to make it easier for passengers to use wifi. In that way, at least, the rapid proliferation of low Earth orbit satellites is a positive for air travel. But the net effect may be negative, due to one major risk: falling space junk."

"Last January, the journal Scientific Reports published a paper that looked into the issue of orbital debris closing airspace. "[O]ver 2,300 rocket bodies are already in orbit and will eventually reenter in an uncontrolled manner," the paper's authors wrote. And while they point out that the odds of such debris colliding with an airplane are low, they also note that "the consequences could be catastrophic" if such a collision did take place."

Airlines are partnering with satellite internet providers such as Starlink and Project Kuiper to expand inflight wifi using low Earth orbit satellites. The rapid increase in satellites improves connectivity but introduces a significant hazard: falling orbital debris. Over 2,300 rocket bodies already in orbit will eventually reenter uncontrolled, and although collision odds with aircraft are low, such an impact could be catastrophic. Rocket stages can be more dangerous than smaller satellites because of size. Even small debris or particles, analogous to volcanic ash, can damage aircraft, heightening concerns for air travel safety.

Read at InsideHook