SEISMOMETERS CAN TRACK FALLING SPACE JUNK.

The article focuses on the use of seismic networks to track the re-entry and disintegration of the Chinese spacecraft Shenzhou-15 as it fell through Earth's atmosphere on April 2, 2024. Scientists utilized ground vibrations detected by seismometers in Southern California, caused by shockwaves from the spacecraft’s sonic booms, to estimate debris altitude, trajectory, and fragmentation. This method complements traditional radar tracking of space debris in orbit, addressing challenges in predicting re-entry paths that can pose risks to people and infrastructure. While seismic detection depends on the density of seismometer networks and has limited range, it offers a novel approach to assessing debris fall zones and potential contamination after uncontrolled spacecraft re-entries. [Extracted from the article]