Scientists are using a new technique to study incoming space debris and its effects on Earth’s atmosphere.
Observational evidence is being gathered that the ablation of space debris can be detected by ground-based light detection and ranging (LiDAR), a remote-sensing technology that uses laser beams to measure precise distances and movement in an environment, in real time.
Last year, for the first time, a lithium cloud in the upper atmosphere was linked to the reentry of a rocket stage. This event took place on Feb. 19-20, 2025 with the detection of a lithium cloud 10 times higher than is typical. Back-trajectory analysis indicated the lidar-probed air mass originated from a location west of Ireland that coincided with the atmospheric reentry of a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage.
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