Who is responsible for space junk falling on Saskatchewan farmland?

Space debris falling to Earth is becoming an increasingly common occurrence, with recent incidents including a piece of debris from a SpaceX spacecraft landing in a Saskatchewan farmer’s field. Barry Sawchuk, the farmer who found the debris, described the experience as just another day in his line of work.

Sawchuk, who farms with his three sons near Ituna, discovered the debris while checking the moisture in his fields. The object appeared to be a burned-up piece of carbon fiber with aluminum honeycombed in between, along with a hydraulic cylinder. A second smaller piece was also found nearby on their land.

Upon reaching out to Samantha Lawler, an associate professor of astronomy at the University of Regina, it was confirmed that the object was space junk likely linked to a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft that had returned to Earth in February. The Transportation and Safety Board of Canada confirmed that there were no reports of aircraft that could explain the object.

The issue of space debris poses concerns for experts like Lawler, who highlighted the potential hazards of falling debris. She emphasized the importance of considering the consequences if such debris were to land in a populated area like Regina or Toronto, where it could pose a significant risk to human life.

In terms of liability for space debris, Thomas Cheney, an expert in space law, explained that any damage caused on Earth by a space object is subject to the full liability of the country responsible for it. This responsibility is outlined in the Outer Space Treaty, which holds countries accountable for objects launched into orbit, whether by governmental or non-governmental entities.

Negotiations for compensation between Sawchuk and the company responsible for the debris are ongoing, with Cheney noting that such arrangements are not uncommon. As the number of objects launched into space continues to rise, experts suggest that updates to regulations surrounding outer space activities may be necessary to address the growing concerns of space debris falling to Earth.