September saw a slightly elevated risk levels to UK interests, with more uncontrolled re-entry and collision hazards but lower space weather activity when compared with August.

All NSpOC warning and protection services were functioning throughout the period.

Re-entry analysis

There was a 7% increase in the number of objects re-entering Earth’s atmosphere monitored by NSpOC in September, when compared with the previous month.

Of the 58 objects that re-entered, 51 were satellites, five were rocket bodies and two were likely pieces of debris.

October: 54, November: 43, December: 52, January: 50, February: 66, March: 72, April: 68, May: 48, June: 53, July: 62, August: 54, September: 58

Collision avoidance analysis

Collision risks to UK-licensed satellites were 16% higher in September than in August but sat well below the 12-month rolling average.

October: 2,402, November: 2,472, December: 2,643, January: 2,608, February: 2,117, March: 1,847, April: 1,194, May: 1,285, June: 1,436, July: 1,209, August: 901, September: 1,049

Registered Space Objects (RSOs) analysis

The in-orbit population increased in September, with a net addition of 163 objects to the US Satellite Catalogue.

October: 31,981, November: 32,366, December: 32,756, January: 32,981, February: 33,221, March: 33,673 , April: 33,952, May: 34,218, June: 34,509, July: 34,832, August: 35,075, September, 31,238

The number of Resident Space Objects (RSOs) reported may be subject to small adjustments over time as the way objects are tracked is refined. Figures in this report reflect the most current available data and may differ slightly from those published in previous months.

Fragmentation analysis

One fragmentation incident took place in September involving a satellite in Low Earth Orbit. Assessments are ongoing to understand how many pieces of debris were released into orbit.

Space weather analysis

Space weather activity was lower in September when compared with the previous month, consisting of some very limited solar radiation and geomagnetic storms.

Comments

The National Space Operations Centre combines and coordinates UK civil and military space domain awareness capabilities to enable operations, promote prosperity and protect UK interests in space and on Earth from space-related threats, risks and hazards.