Michael Byers

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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink satellites launches on Aug. 19, 2022. The Falcon 9 is a reusable rocket and its re-entry is controlled after launch, reducing debris. (Malcolm Denemark/Florida Today via AP)

Airplanes face a growing risk of being hit by uncontrolled re‑entries of rockets used to launch satellites

Michael Byers, University of British Columbia and Aaron Boley, University of British Columbia

Rockets used to launch satellites fall back to Earth, and as their number grows, the risk faced by people living on the ground — or flying in airplanes — increases.