The National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) reported a 17% increase in objects re-entering Earth's atmosphere in July 2026 compared to the previous month. Of the 62 objects that re-entered, 59 were satellites, two were rocket bodies, and one was likely debris.
Despite the rise in re-entries, collision risks to UK-licensed satellites were 16% lower in July than in June, falling below the 12-month rolling average. However, space weather activity, primarily solar flares and geomagnetic storms, was higher in July compared to June.
The in-orbit population also increased, with a net addition of 322 objects to the US Satellite Catalogue. Additionally, two fragmentation incidents involving payloads in Lower Earth and Graveyard orbits took place, with assessments ongoing to determine the amount of debris released.