UKSA Space Safety Report July 2024: Key Takeaways You Need to Know

The National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) plays a critical role in safeguarding the UK’s interests in space and on Earth. By monitoring and addressing potential threats, The NSpOC collaborates with international partners to maintain space safety, sustainability, and accessibility. The centre’s efforts are essential in managing the growing complexities of space activity, ensuring that the UK remains vigilant against a range of space-related risks and challenges.

UKSA Space Safety Report Overview

In July 2024, the overall risks to UK interests in space and on Earth saw a decline compared to June. Despite this, the number of re-entry events and other space-related alerts remained above average for the year. The systems in place continued to operate effectively, ensuring that potential threats were managed throughout the month.

Tracking Uncontrolled Re-Entries

During July, NSpOC monitored 44 uncontrolled re-entries, a slight decrease from June’s figures. Although this marks an 8% reduction from the previous month, the number remains about 50% higher than the 2024 average. This elevated number is attributed to the ongoing decommissioning of small communications satellites. The trend is expected to persist in the coming months.

Collision Avoidance in Space

In July, UK-licensed satellite operators received 1,795 warnings about potential collision risks, a 5% decrease compared to June. These alerts are crucial for enabling satellite operators to take action to prevent possible collisions in orbit.

Fragmentation in Orbit

A notable event in July was the fragmentation of the US satellite DMSP 5D-2 F8 on July 19. This incident resulted in five pieces of catalogued debris. Preliminary investigations suggest that the satellite’s main body remains largely intact.

Space Weather Monitoring

Space weather alerts significantly decreased in July, with the Met Office issuing 27 critical alerts, down 58% from June. While there were brief periods of increased solar activity, including minor flares and a low-level radiation storm, the overall impact on satellite operations was minimal compared to the previous month.

Launch Activity and New Space Objects

July saw 13 space launches, contributing to an increase of 143 registered space objects (RSOs) in the US Satellite Catalogue. Three of these launches were carried out by SpaceX, adding 22 more Starlink satellites to orbit. The remaining 121 RSOs were associated with prior launches, ISS deployments, or newly recorded debris.

Final Thoughts

The report highlights how the UK continues to monitor and manage space-related risks. As space activity grows, the role of NSpOC and its partners remains crucial in safeguarding interests both in space and on Earth.