Tim Peake: Space debris poses catastrophic risk to International Space Station

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The growing amount of space debris orbiting the earth risks a “catastrophic impact” with the International Space Station Major Tim Peake has warned. The more pieces of debris that are introduced into a conflicting orbit, then the greater the risk there is an impact that could be catastrophic Major Tim Peake Major Peake, who spent six months in the International Space Station in 2015-16, said that while radar could spot larger pieces of debris allowing the station to manoeuvre to avoid them, it could not pick up those under 5cm. “We will be utilising it even greater in future so debris in those orbits is of great concerns.” Major Peake said the Russian missile test showed that the 1967 international Outer Space Treaty – which was supposed to prevent the proliferation of debris – was no longer “fit for purpose”. “I think we are going to find ourselves in increasingly difficult territory as we move forward where different interpretations of norms and behaviours are going to cause friction and tension and it is going to require a lot of diplomacy in order to ensure we use space responsibly.” Major Peake said it was “likely” that he would return to space for a second mission with the European Space Agency, in either 2024 or 2025.