Scientists use seismic sensors to predict where space debris will land

Scientists have developed a new method to track falling space debris using seismic sensors. This innovation aims to improve predictions of where debris will land. The technique utilizes earthquake-detecting seismometers to register the sonic booms created by objects entering Earth's atmosphere at high speeds. This allows for near real-time trajectory tracking, offering more accurate landing site predictions than previous methods. This advancement comes as the problem of orbital debris intensifies, posing risks of collisions and potential hazards to populated areas. The method was tested by analyzing the reentry of a Chinese spacecraft module.