February saw sustained levels of space activity, with higher levels of uncontrolled re-entries but lower levels of collision alerts and space weather activity than in January.
All NSpOC warning and protection services were functioning throughout the period.
Re-entry analysis
February saw an increase in the number of objects re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, monitored by NSpOC, when compared with the previous month.
Of the 66 objects that re-entered, 59 were satellites, 6 were rocket bodies and one was likely a piece of debris.
March 85, April 92, May 64, June 55, July 52, August 34, September 39, October 54, November 43, December 52, January 50, February 66
Collision avoidance analysis
Collision risks to UK-licensed satellites were lower in February than in January.
March 2,588, April 2,620, 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
Registered Space Objects (RSOs) analysis
The in-orbit population increased in February, with a net addition of 244 objects to the US Satellite Catalogue.
March 30,183, April 30,311, May 30,560, June 30,885, July 31,093, August 31,347, September, 31,636, October 31,928, November 32,306, December 32,694, January 32,921, February 33,165
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
A reduction in space weather activity was observed during the month of February, with some 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.