Scientists said that the risk of a collision of cosmic garbage falling from orbit is growing with aircraft. And if this happens, the consequences will be catastrophic, reports Science Alert.

Scientists from the University of British Colombia in Canada studied data on flights around the world and simulated their location in the sky. Then these data was compared with the notes of uncontrolled return rockets.

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The growing risk is also partially determined by the massive deployment of satellites, such as SpaceX Starlink, which will ultimately re -enter the atmosphere.

According to the researchers, as more and more satellites are launched into orbit, and more and more aircraft rises to the sky, the risk of a collision is growing. Despite the existing system for tracking the cosmic garbage trajectory, the problem remains serious.

“The probability of uncontrolled return to the atmosphere in areas with the highest population density located around large airports is 0.8% per year. This indicator increases to 26% for larger but still loaded areas of airspace, such as northeast of the United States, Northern Europe or around large cities in the Asia-Pacific region, ”scientists said.

According to The Aerospace Corporation, the probability of a fatal collision of the aircraft with an object falling from space in 2021 was about 1 to 100,000. Even the smallest burnt piece of a rocket or satellite can lead to a fall in the aircraft. According to researchers, even a fragment weighing one gram can damage if it falls into the windshield or engine of the aircraft.

As the probability of a collision grows, the likelihood that certain parts of the airspace will be closed.. This means that other parts will turn out to be more loaded or cases of cancellation of flights.

Researchers say that there is a solution: those who launch objects into the sky could invest in the controlled entrance of the rocket into the atmosphere. Although the technology for this already exists, it is currently used in less than 35% of launches.

“More than 2,300 missile buildings are already in orbit and ultimately in an uncontrolled way will return to the atmosphere. Airspace organs will face the problem of an uncontrolled entrance to the atmosphere for decades, ”scientists said.

Recall, recently, the SpaceX Starlink Internet satellite has entered the atmosphere, burning with a bright fire ball that observers from the ground could see.