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More or Less: Behind the Stats, Could you be hit by a falling satellite?

More or Less: Behind the Stats

Could you be hit by a falling satellite?

June 14, 2025

10 minutes

Available for over a year

The number of satellites orbiting our planet has been rapidly increasing in recent years. But what are the risks when they start falling back down to earth?

The European Space agency estimate that by 2030 there will be 100,000 satellites in orbit.

We look at whether that estimate is realistic and what it means for those of us living on the ground below, with the help of Jonathan McDowell and Fionagh Thomson.

Presenter: Tim Harford

Producer: Lizzy McNeill

Series Producer: Tom Colls

Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown

Editor: Richard Vadon

Studio Manager: James Beard