As the number of satellites in orbit continues to climb, so does the risk of their remnants falling back to Earth, and into the path of commercial airliners. A 2025 study conducted by the University of British Columbia estimates a 26% probability that, within a year, uncontrolled space debris will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere over heavily trafficked airspace. And by 2030, the probability of an individual commercial aircraft encountering a piece of debris could reach 1 in 1,000, based on earlier modelling.
These particles pose a unique risk to jet engines, navigation systems, and fuselage integrity. While atmospheric entry typically burns up most of a spacecraft, some elements, particularly metallic and composite structures, can endure, retaining enough mass and velocity to inflict damage.
Virgili Bastida and his team recently published their findings in the Journal of Space Safety Engineering. Their work focuses on the challenges of determining when and where airspace should be closed due to potential re-entry threats, an issue that becomes increasingly complex as launch frequency rises.
https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/space-debris-could-soon-disrupt-flights/
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Specially commissioned drones will be used to fly blood donations as part of a new trial.
Currently, blood donations are processed in south Wales then transported by road, a journey that can take hours.
The ultimate ambition of the Dragon's Heart project is to fly life-saving blood samples to the scenes of accidents using drones weighing about 55lb (25kg) and 5.5ft wide (1.7m).
The pilot, which is due to start in early 2026, was described as significant and exciting by the Welsh Blood Service.
A hatch in the top means the blood sits in the body of the drone, helping to control the temperature of the blood and minimise vibrations.
The Welsh Blood Service said it would be testing the blood transported as part of the trial, with drones only going as high as about 2,000ft (610m).
Peter Richardson, deputy director and head of quality, safety and regulatory compliance, said: "Rest assured we will make sure that not only is the blood safe when it arrives for use, but actually that we don't waste any of the really valuable donations that our generous donors give us."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0q524yly20o
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As self-driving cars get closer to reality, Tesla is striving to remain a big player. But is it sacrificing safety to stay in the game?
For the past few weeks, Geoff Perlman, a 61-year-old technology executive from Texas, has been testing a free trial of Tesla's latest self-driving software as he travels around Austin.
He's impressed: it can handle confusing lane adjustments and park itself in busy lots better, he thinks, than the average human. He's expecting to recommend that his 89-year-old father-in-law upgrades his own Tesla with the system, which costs an extra $8,000 (£5,950), to help out as old age closes in.
But his confidence has its limits. For now, he says, he keeps his eyes on the road and does not pick up the phone to text.
"Staring at the phone when you're in a several thousand pound vehicle travelling down the highway at this point seems crazy to me," he says.
Tesla boss Elon Musk doesn't appear to share his qualms. Last month, he told investors: "We're going to look closely at the safety statistics, but we will allow you to text and drive essentially".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c783qd14zl7o
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The oil tanker seized by US forces on Wednesday 10th December 2025 had a track record of faking or concealing its location information, apparently to hide its activities, ship tracking data shows.
On Wednesday evening, the US confirmed that its forces seized a vessel during a helicopter-launched raid near the coast of Venezuela. BBC Verify confirmed the ship was the Skipper by matching a sign seen in footage released by the US to a reference photo supplied by TankerTrackers.com, a site which monitors oil shipments.
Data held by publicly accessible tracking sites paints an incomplete picture of the vessel's movements, and before its seizure it hadn't declared its position since 7 November. Maritime analytics firm Kpler also suggested that the vessel had engaged in a ship-to-ship transfer.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi described the vessel as a "crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran".
The US Treasury department first sanctioned the ship in 2022, when it was sailing under the name Adisa, and was accused of being part of an "international oil smuggling network".
The Skipper has sailed under the flag of Guyana, but the government was quick to release a statement saying that the 20-year-old tanker was "falsely flying the Guyana Flag as it is not registered in Guyana".
Experts told BBC Verify that the Skipper was likely a part of the so-called "dark fleet" - a global network of oil tankers that seek to evade oil sanctions by obscuring their ownership, identities and travel histories.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8jvll9j81o
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As the people of Swindon enjoy a night out this festive season, a drone will often be keeping a watchful eye on proceedings.
Wiltshire Police is using the technology as part of Project Vigilant, an operation which focuses on tackling violence against women.
The drone will be flown over key areas, such as Swindon's Old Town, to look out for suspicious behaviour.
Det Insp Troy Smith said: "It's pretty much the same as a helicopter, but a lot smaller. We want to make our streets a hostile environment for sexual predators. Women have the right to enjoy their nights out untroubled by these individuals."
A drone pilot is able to watch what the drone is seeing through a camera and report suspicious behaviour to officers on the ground.
Det Insp Smith added: "Women have the right to feel safe when they are out and about in the night time economy, so we target the suspect rather than change the behaviour of potential victims."
This winter is the first time drones have been used to tackle violence against women in Wiltshire.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd74rdw90xjo
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