Mmastodon ScienceSpace Policy first seen 1 d ago, last 46 min ago, peak #6
Odds of Being Hit by Falling Space Junk Are Rising
Original: "For now, people are more likely to be struck by lightning than by falling space junk. But those odds are shifting. Sean
Experts, including former NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe, warn that while a person is currently more likely to be struck by lightning than by falling space debris, those odds are shifting as orbital traffic grows. They argue governments and companies should be required to use materials that fully burn up on reentry, amid rising concern about the environmental and safety costs of the growing amount of junk reentering the atmosphere.
Why now: Growing concerns about space debris and reentry risks as launches increase have put space environmentalism in the spotlight.
Rank over time, top of the chart is #1. 32 snapshots from 1 d ago to 46 min ago.
Evidence
- "For now, people are more likely to be struck by lightning than by falling space junk. But those odds are shifting. Sean O’Keefe, a former NASA administrator, ... and other experts say that governments and companies should be compelled to use materials that will fully… · space_environmentalism · 47
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