Canadian space junk incident highlights rising risks with SpaceX Starlink launches

The recent Canadian space junk incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing risks posed by the proliferation of space debris. In late April, farmers in Saskatchewan stumbled upon spacecraft fragments while preparing their fields for seeding, a surreal event that would not seem out of place in a science fiction movie.

This incident was not an isolated occurrence. Several similar incidents have been reported in various parts of the world, raising concerns about the potential for serious harm or even loss of life due to falling space junk.

• In May, fragments believed to be from a SpaceX Crew Dragon mission were found in North Carolina, with one smaller piece landing on the roof of a house.

• Debris from the first operational crewed Dragon mission (Crew-1) was strewn across fields in New South Wales, Australia.

• In March, a potentially lethal fragment from an old battery pallet released by NASA from the International Space Station crashed through the roof, ceiling, and floor of a house in Florida.

These incidents highlight the fact that deadly debris falls to the ground every time a Crew Dragon trunk or other space objects re-enter the atmosphere uncontrollably, posing a significant risk to populated areas. The fragments found are not small, with some approaching the size of ping pong tables and weighing up to 100 pounds, capable of causing fatalities or substantial damage.

While no one is known to have been hurt by falling space junk so far, it is merely a matter of luck. As space launches become more frequent, driven by space tourism, megaconstellations, and large low Earth orbit satellites, the risk of uncontrolled re-entries causing harm or damage continues to grow.

Immediate regulatory action is needed to address the growing risks posed by uncontrolled re-entries of space debris. The 1972 Liability Convention holds countries absolutely liable for damage, including loss of life, caused by their space objects falling onto the Earth’s surface or striking aircraft in flight. Additionally, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty makes countries responsible for all their space actors, including private companies.

However, the legal framework may not provide clear recourse for individuals affected by space debris from private companies. In the case of the Crew Dragon trunk scattered across Saskatchewan, SpaceX sent employees to retrieve the pieces and reportedly paid farmers for the fragments. Had there been a death or damage to million-dollar farm equipment, the outcome could have been much more complicated.

To mitigate the risks, a clear alternative is to implement controlled re-entries through a combination of mission planning, restrictions on the number of re-entries, and the use of reignitable engines. These technologies and practices already exist, albeit at additional costs. For objects that cannot be controlled, they must be designed to burn up entirely in the atmosphere.

However, even this practice has potential implications for upper atmosphere chemistry, climate, and ozone depletion. Regulating agencies must establish thresholds for re-entry pollution and safety, and suspend or revoke licenses for corporations or governmental organizations that exceed these limits until the issue is addressed.

Uncontrolled re-entries are relics of early spaceflight and cannot continue in an era of near-daily rocket launches. While satellites and space technologies bring tremendous benefits to society, the promise of prosperity is not an excuse for reckless behavior. Immediate action by regulating agencies very important to prevent a disaster before it strikes.