Brussels, 25/04/2022 (Agence Europe) – The number of objects in low Earth orbit (see EUROPE 12891/4) is posing increasing challenges, according to a European Space Agency (ESA) report published on Friday 22 April. According to a graph in the report, a satellite receives an average of about 44 collision alerts over a year in a low orbit (350 km) and 40 alerts in a 550 km orbit. This is due to the explosion in the number of satellites, particularly in connection with mega-constellations. This number decreases sharply as one moves away from the Earth. Practices are improving, according to the report: many of today’s rocket bodies are disposed of through controlled re-entry into the atmosphere or placed in orbits where they will decay within 25 years. The main challenge remains to decongest the orbital highways, the report says. To consult it: https://aeur.eu/f/1co (PH)