Unidentified Lights in California Sky Caused by Burning Space Antenna
A mysterious streak of light seen over Sacramento, California, was identified as the Inter-orbit communication system (ICS), a retired component that enabled communication between the International Space Station's Kibo module and Mission Control. The 683 lbs (310 kg) component was jettisoned from the ISS into a decaying orbit in 2020. Sightings of space debris burning up in Earth's atmosphere are likely to become more common as companies like SpaceX launch thousands of satellites. NASA and the Department of Defense currently track up to 27,000 known pieces of space debris, and there is always a risk posed to satellites and other vehicles in orbit.