Seismic Signals Could Help Track Reentering Space Debris

Scientists from Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College London propose using seismometers to detect sonic booms produced by reentering space junk, turning ground sensors into a rapid tracking tool that could complement radar, optical, and satellite methods. In a trial involving China’s Shenzhou-15 reentry, seismic data reconstructed the debris’ sky path and diverged from Space Force radar predictions by about 40 kilometers, highlighting potential for faster location and recovery of toxic residues—though the approach requires more validation since small debris may not generate detectable signals and distinguishing signals from other sources remains a challenge.