April saw generally sustained levels of space activity, with similar levels of uncontrolled re-entries and space weather activity but fewer collision alerts when compared with March.
All NSpOC warning and protection services were functioning throughout the period.
Re-entry analysis
There was a 6% decrease in the number of objects re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, monitored by NSpOC, when compared with the previous month.
Of the 68 objects that re-entered, 56 were satellites, nine were rocket bodies and three were likely pieces of debris.
May 64, June 55, July 52, August 34, September 39, October 54, November 43, December 52, January 50, February 66, March 72, April 68
Collision avoidance analysis
Collision risks to UK-licensed satellites were 35% lower in April than in March but remained broadly aligned to the 12-month rolling average.
May 1,546, June 1,259, July 1,038, August 971, September 1,537, October 2,402, November 2,472, December 2,643, January 2,608, February 2,117, March 1,847, April 1,194
Registered Space Objects (RSOs) analysis
The in-orbit population increased in April, with a net addition of 223 objects to the US Satellite Catalogue.
May 30,538, June 30,862, July 31,070, August 31,324, September, 31,612, October 31,905, November 32,289, December 32,678, January 32,905, February 33,143, March 33,528, April 33,756
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
There have been no new fragmentation (break-up) incidents this month.
Space weather analysis
Space weather activity was similar in April when compared with the previous month, with geomagnetic storms and solar flares registered throughout the month.
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.
