Scientists reveal just how likely it is that someone will be KILLED by an out-of-control rocket this year

Between the endless delays and violent turbulence, flying can already be a nerve-wracking experience. Rocket launches since 1957: 6,740 Number of satellites in orbit: 19,590 Number still in space: 13,230 Number still functioning: 10,200 Number of debris objects: 36,860 Break-ups, explosions etc: Over 650 Mass of objects in orbit: 13,000 tonnes Prediction of the amount of debris in orbit using statistical models Over 10cm : 40,500 40,500 1cm to 10cm : 1,100,000 1,100,000 1mm to 1cm : 130 million Source: European Space Agency However, the vast majority of the world’s airspace is not nearly as busy which means the chances of debris disrupting travel is significantly higher. There is a 75 per cent chance that rocket debris will re-enter through airspace in this category in any given year. This showed that there was a 75 per cent chance of rocket debris falling through moderately busy airspace and a 26 per cent chance of debris falling through busy airspace Earlier estimates produced by The Aerospace Corporation estimate in 2021 suggest that the annual risk of a casualty caused by debris hitting an aircraft was one in 1,000 and would rise to one in 119 by 2035. A previous study by scientists from the University of British Columbia predicted there was a ten per cent chance of space debris killing someone in a decade.