Watch out for falling satellite debris, seriously

February 13, 9:05 PMDenver Aviation ExaminerChris Rodriguez

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It’s Friday the 13th, and while the following may sound like an April Fools joke, it’s not.  This is for real.  The following advisory has been issued by the FAA.

FDC 9/5774 FDC .. SPECIAL NOTICE .. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. AIRCRAFT ARE ADVISED THAT A POTENTIAL HAZARD MAY OCCUR DUE TO REENTRY OF SATELLITE DEBRIS INTO THE EARTHS ATMOSPHERE. FURTHER NOTAMS WILL BE ISSUED IF MORE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE. IN THE INTEREST OF FLIGHT SAFETY, IT IS CRITICAL THAT ALL PILOTS/FLIGHT CREW MEMBERS REPORT ANY OBSERVED FALLING SPACE DEBRIS TO THE APPROPRIATE ATC FACILITY TO INCLUDE POSITION, ALTITUDE, TIME, AND DIRECTION OF DEBRIS OBSERVED. FAA HEADQUARTERS, AIR TRAFFIC SYSTEMS OPERATIONS SECURITY

I saw a headline about the possible need for Air Traffic Control for space junk, I’m sure meant tongue in cheek.  Brig. Gen. Michael Carey said "They ran into each other. Nothing has the right of way up there. We don't have an air traffic controller in space. There is no universal way of knowing what's coming in your direction.”  But when the FAA puts out something like the above Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), there is reason to take the situation seriously.  

This debris is due to the recent collision in space between a dead Russian satellite and an Iridium communications satellite.  At last count there were around 600 pieces floating around up there.

Be careful out and up there.

(Picture source: www.natural-environment.com)