A Chinese rocket stage, which broke apart in space this week, has generated over 700 pieces of debris, jeopardizing the safety of more than 1,000 satellites and other objects in a high-traffic region of Earth’s orbit. This debris poses a significant risk of hazardous collisions, according to analysts. The incident occurred following the launch of 18 internet satellites by China’s state-owned Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology on Tuesday. These satellites were intended to be part of a communications network challenging SpaceX’s vast Starlink constellation. However, the upper rocket stage, responsible for carrying the satellites into orbit, appears to have exploded shortly after deploying its payloads, creating a growing debris field. U.S. space-tracking firms estimate that the debris field contains at least 700 pieces, with LeoLabs suggesting the actual number may exceed 900, making this one of the largest debris events ever recorded. The debris cloud, situated at approximately 800 kilometers (497 miles) in altitude, will persist for several years, according to analysts. The cause of the rocket stage’s disintegration remains unclear. Possibilities include a collision with another object or an onboard explosion of unused rocket fuel. U.S. Space Command initially reported 300 pieces of debris, a number that is likely to increase as the debris cloud disperses. Audrey Schaffer, vice president of strategy at space-tracking firm Slingshot Aerospace, revealed that over 1,100 satellites and other objects in space are at risk of colliding with the Chinese debris. Over the next three days, there are over 1,100 predicted conjunctions, meaning potential close encounters, with miss distances of less than 5 kilometers, Schaffer stated. Approximately one-third of these objects at risk are active spacecraft that could potentially maneuver to avoid collision. However, the remaining objects, consisting of uncontrollable pieces of existing space junk, lack the ability to dodge the new debris. This situation has raised concerns among analysts regarding the potential for cascading collisions. A similar incident occurred in 2022 when a Long March 6A rocket stage broke apart in space, creating hundreds of pieces of debris. This previous event prompted criticism of China from Western countries and space sustainability advocates who called for improved control over the disposal of spent rocket bodies. Schaffer expressed disappointment at the recurrence of this issue, stating that such debris-generating events, potentially avoidable, should not occur. The incident highlights the increasing challenge of space debris management and the need for international cooperation to ensure the safety and sustainability of space exploration.
