How we protected the UK and space in June 2024
This report was issued in July 2024 and covers the time period 1 June 2024 to 30 June 2024 inclusive.
The National Space Operations Centre is led by the UK Space Agency and UK Space Command in partnership with the Met Office.
The National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) protects UK interests in space and on Earth. We work with UK government departments, industry, academia and international partners to ensure space remains safe, sustainable and accessible to all.
Summary
Overall risks to UK interests in space and on Earth from space-related threats, risks, and hazards were lower in June than in May. However, re-entry and space weather incidents remained above average. All NSpOC warning and protection services functioned as expected throughout the period.
Uncontrolled Re-Entry Early Warning
We monitored 48 uncontrolled re-entries in June to protect the UK and UK Overseas Territories as well as support our international partners. This represents 14% fewer objects re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere in June than May, but this is still approximately 50% above average for the year – largely a result of the planned decommissioning of small communications satellites. We expect this above average trend to continue for at least another month.
Chart showing number of re-entries monitored by month: January (13), February (24), March (25), April (22), May (56) June (48).
In-Space Collision Avoidance
We warned UK-licensed satellite operators of 1,881 potential collision risks in June. This represents a 35% decrease in risks over the previous month. Our warnings allow operators to take critical collision avoidance decisions.
Chart showing number of collision risks to UK licensed satellites monitored by month: January (1,690), February (1,943), March (1,903), April (1,899), May (2,560), June (1,881).
Fragmentation incidents
A defunct Russian satellite fragmented on 26 June, producing more than 100 pieces of debris. Some investigations suggest that the main body of the satellite may remain largely intact.
Space weather
The Met Office issued 64 critical space weather alerts in June. This represents a 35% decrease from May. Although space weather activity was less impactful in June than May, it was still a relatively active start to the month. The Met Office tracked several solar flares all originating from the same sunspot region on the solar surface. There were several geomagnetic storms, with the most severe arriving later in the month. A strong radiation storm was also observed following a moderate to strong flare. Whilst space weather events can impact satellite operations and affect space-based services such as GPS and High Frequency radio, the risk in the UK was well managed and services were generally unaffected. This level of activity is to be expected in this part of the solar cycle, as we are around solar maximum.
Number of Objects in Space
There were 17 launches in June and a total increase in the US Satellite Catalogue of 244 registered space objects. Of those launches, eight were performed by SpaceX to deploy an additional 173 Starlink satellites, making up a significant portion of the total catalogued object increase since May. The remaining 71 RSOs are either from previous months or new launches, ISS deployed satellites, or debris that has been newly recorded in the US Satellite Catalogue.
Chart showing number registered space objects by month: January (28,014), February (28,172), March (28,478), April (28,752), May (28,850), June (28,931).
Note that numbers in the registered space objects catalogue can fluctuate over time as data is continually verified.
Comments
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.