Space Debris, also known as space junk usually refers to obsolete objects in the Earth’s objects. These include inactive or decommissioned satellites, spent rocket stages, fragments from collisions, and mission-related objects like screws, cables, and cameras. As the activity in space increases, more and more objects are sent into space which leads to a rise in incidents of space debris falling back into the Earth’s atmosphere. Though most of the space debris burns up in the atmosphere, but larger space junk survives and falls to the ground intact. NASA has said that on average, 1 piece of space debris has fallen on Earth every day over the last 50 years. So, let’s take a look at some of the famous space debris fall incidents in this article.
Star 48 Payload Assist Module Fell On Earth In 2001
In the year 2001, a part of a rocket called Star 48 Payload Assist Module or PAM-D, fell on the surface of Earth following a catastrophic orbital delay. It crashed in the Saudi Arabian desert. Officials identified that it was a part of a rocket used to launch NAVSTAR 32 which is a GPS satellite sent into space in 1993.
Block Of Aluminium Fell From Space In 2002
In 2002, a block of aluminum weighing approximately 10 kg and 80 by 50 cm, fell from space. Reports stated that it was from the outer shell of the Resource Second satellite. The space debris injured a 6-year-old boy named Wu Jie, who became the first ever person to be hurt by the fall of space debris on the Earth’s ground. While sitting under a Persimmon tree in the Shaanxi province of China, the boy suffered a fractured toe and forehead swelling.
2003’s Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
In February 2003, a major space debris fall incident took place which is popularly called the Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster. In this, large parts of a spacecraft known as Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated and reached the ground over Texas and Louisiana. While some parts of the spacecraft were damaged, some equipment remained completely undamaged. All the 7 astronauts on board died in the incident and more than 83000 pieces of space debris were found in an area 3 to 10 miles around Hemphill in Sabine County, Texas. Also, more pieces were found from west Texas to east Louisiana, with the farthest west piece found in Littlefield, Texas, and the farthest east piece found in Mora, Louisiana. After the disaster, NASA warned people to avoid touching the pieces because there may be harmful chemicals. It is the 2nd space shuttle disaster that happened after the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster.
Russian Spy Satellite’s Debris Was Seen Flying In 2007
In the year 2007, a pilot of a LAN Airlines Airbus A340 with a total of 270 passengers, spotted some pieces of a Russian Spy Satellite falling through the air. He saw them flying over the Pacific Ocean between Santiago and Auckland. It was reported that the space debris was within 9.3 kilometers or 5 nautical miles of the LAN airplane.
Upper Stage Of Vega Flight VV01 Fell In 2016
In November 2016, the upper part of a rocket from Vega Flight VV01 fell from space on Earth. The Vega Flight VV01 was launched on 13th February 2012. The upper stage of this fell over the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. After being found, it was reported that the composite overwrapped special pressure vessel fell back to the Earth and did not burn up in the atmosphere.
Core Stage Of China’s Long March-5B Made Re-Entry In 2020
In May 2020, space debris from China’s one of the most famous rockets fell on the surface of Earth. The empty core stage from a Chinese Long March-5B rocket fell on Earth without any control. It was the biggest space object to make re-entry since a Soviet space station did in 1991. The debris fell over Africa and the Atlantic Ocean. Also, a long 12-meter pipe from China’s rocket crashed into the village of Mahounou in Côte d’Ivoire, Africa. Though the incident did not cause any injury but it received a lot of criticism.
Falcon 9 Second Stage Made An Uncontrolled Re-Entry In 2021
On 25th March 2021, the second stage of a Falcon 9 rocket re-entered the atmosphere of Earth without any control. The space debris fell over a farm in Washington and created a visible light show. Not only this, a piece of the debris was recovered by Space X and they reported that it was a composite overwrapped pressure vessel. Moreover, another piece of debris was also found which was washed up ashore in Oregon. It was also possibly a composite overwrapped pressure vessel.
Debris Fell From Centaur Upper Stage Of Atlas V Rocket
In September 2021, one of the most talked about space debris incidents took place. A 50 kg high-pressure helium bottle from the Centaur Upper Stage of Atlas V rocket fell on the surface of Earth. The heavyweight bottle came from the rocket which was launched in December 2019. Additionally, the bottle was discovered in southeastern Australia, near the town of Yambuk, Victoria.
Pieces Of Space Debris From Long March-3B Fell In 2022
In April 2022, some pieces of debris from the third stage of China’s Long March-3B rocket, with the Y77 serial number, fell over the Indian state of Maharashtra. The rocket was launched in 2021. It was reported that the recovered debris consisted of a large metallic ring, approximately 3 meters in diameter, along with 6 composite overwrapped pressure vessels. Though some parts of the debris burned up in the atmosphere, but some of it did not burn up completely and fell from the space.
Another Space Debris Incident From China’s Long March-3B Took Place In 2022
In May 2022, another incident of space debris falling over the surface of Earth happened in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was reported that surviving debris consisting of metal fragments along with 3 composite overwrapped pressure vessels fell on Earth. The debris possibly came from China’s Long March-3B rocket, with a serial number Y86. Also, the debris killed a livestock animal and injured another one as it struck a sheep pen.
Trunk Of SpaceX Crew-1 Dragon Re-Entered the Earth’s Surface
In July 2022, the trunk of SpaceX Crew-1 Dragon spacecraft re-entered the surface of Earth. The debris from the spacecraft fell over the places of Wagga Wagga, Albury, and Canberra in New South Wales, Australia.
Empty Core Stage Of China’s Long March-5B Fell Over Earth
In July 2022, the main part of China’s Long March-5B rocket fell back to Earth without any control over the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Many people witnessed the debris’ re-entry to Earth and later pieces were also discovered.
Space Debris From SpaceX Satellite Launch Fell In 2023
In May 2023, space debris from a SpaceX satellite launch fell over the parts of Sembabule, Kyegegwa, and Kyenjojo districts of Western Uganda. Also, a piece of debris fell on the roof of a house in Nakawala village of Sembabule.
Composite Motor Case From India’s PSLV Fell On Earth In 2023
On 16th July 2023, a composite motor case from India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle fell onto the surface of Earth. It was found ashore on the Western Australian coast near Greenhead and was likely to be from the third stage of PSLV.
Cylindrical Metal Object Struck A House In Florida
In March 2024, a cylindrical metal object hit a house in Naples, Florida, causing severe damage to the property. It was reported that it weighed around 2 pounds. Also, the metal object was a part of an EP9 battery pallet from the International Space Station, thrown away in 2021.
Fragments Of Space Debris Found On A Saskatchewan Farm In 2024
On 28th April 2024, some pieces of space debris that had scorch marks fell over the surface of the Earth and were found on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada. The large pieces of space debris had carbon fiber composite and honeycomb structures. Also, the debris weighed around 100 pounds or 45 kg. Officials said that it was a part of the Axiom 3 Dragon trunk section which reentered Earth.
Space Debris Found In North Carolina In May 2024
Pieces of space debris that re-entered the surface of Earth were recently found in Haywood County, North Carolina. It was said that the debris was from a SpaceX Crew-7 Dragon spacecraft, weighed around 90 pounds, and was 4 × 3.5 feet in size. Also, the space debris had carbon fiber dotted with metallic embeds as construction material. Another piece of the debris was found in Macon County, North Carolina.
500 Kg Ring Fell Over The Mukuku Village In 2024
In December 2024, a mysterious 500 kg red-hot metallic ring, 2.5 meters in diameter, fell over the Mukuku Village of Makueni County in Kenya. The Space Agency of Kenya reported that it was a piece of space debris that came crashing down at around 3 pm local time.