Uncontrolled rocked re-entries pose a growing risk to the aviation industry, a new study in Scientific Reports warns.

As space launches increase, more rocket bodies are abandoned in orbit, eventually falling back to Earth unpredictably.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia estimate that in high-traffic airspace, such as over northern Europe or the northeastern United States, there is a 26 percent annual chance of a re-entry passing through busy skies, posing a collision risk to aircraft.

While the likelihood of a direct impact remains low, even small debris could cause catastrophic damage.

The study highlights a 2022 incident when European airspace was temporarily closed due to a re-entry threat, delaying hundreds of flights. With rocket launches and flights increasing, the researchers say policymakers need to take action.