How we protected the UK and space in July 2026

July consistent saw a consistent risk level to UK interests, with higher levels of uncontrolled re-entries, fragmentations and space weather activity but fewer collision alerts when compared with June.

All NSpOC warning and protection services were functioning throughout the period.

There was a 17% increase in the number of objects re-entering Earth’s atmosphere monitored by NSpOC in July, when compared with the previous month.

Of the 62 objects that re-entered, 59 were satellites, two were rocket bodies and one was likely a piece of debris.

August: 34, September: 39, October: 54, November: 43, December: 52, January: 50, February: 66, March: 72, April: 68, May: 48, June: 53, July: 62

Collision risks to UK-licensed satellites were 16% lower in July than in June and sat below the 12-month rolling average.

August: 971, September: 1,537, October: 2,402, November: 2,472, December: 2,643, January: 2,608, February: 2,117, March: 1,847, April: 1,194, May: 1,285, June: 1,436, July: 1,209

Registered Space Objects (RSOs) analysis

The in-orbit population increased in July, with a net addition of 322 objects to the US Satellite Catalogue.

August: 31,389, September, 31,677, October: 31,968, November: 32,351, December: 32,739, January: 32,965, February: 33,205, March: 33,593, April: 33,873, May: 34,138, June: 34,429, July: 34,751

The number of Resident Space Objects (RSOs) reported may be subject to small adjustments over time as the way objects are tracked is refined. Figures in this report reflect the most current available data and may differ slightly from those published in previous months.

Two fragmentation incidents took place in July involving payloads in Lower Earth and Graveyard orbits. Assessments are ongoing to understand how many pieces of debris were released into orbit.

Space weather activity was higher in July when compared with the previous month, predominantly consisting of solar flares and geomagnetic storms.