Space debris crash in Florida home raises questions on liability
An unidentified object struck the roof of a Naples, Florida, resident's home and penetrated two stories. It is most likely debris from the International Space Station. NASA has taken the object for analysis. Who will pay for the damage caused?
The beginning of humanity's conquest of space dates back to 4 October 1957. On that day, the USSR launched Sputnik 1. Human presence, also in outer space, brings with it garbage. Hundreds of tons of debris also drift in Earth's orbit.
One such object, left by NASA in space, most likely hit a Florida resident's home. Fortunately, no one was hurt, even though the owner's son was inside at the moment of impact.
"Hello. It looks like one of those pieces missed Ft Myers and landed on my home in Naples. It went through the roof and two stories. It almost killed my son. Can you help me get in touch with NASA? I've sent emails and left messages - with no response," wrote Otero on the X (Twitter) platform.
The post of the owner of the destroyed house was a response to information from astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell. On social media, he described where and when the debris from the International Space Station was expected to fall.
Highlighting the issue had an effect. After the mysterious flying object, government agency employees contacted Mr. Otero.
"NASA retrieved the object in cooperation with the homeowner. It will analyze the object at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida as quickly as possible to determine its origin. More information will be available after the analysis is completed," stated the space agency in a statement.
Who will pay for the roof repair and the rest of the house? The law adopted by the UN states that in such cases, the country's government to which the object belonged must pay. Here, the situation gets complicated — presumably, the part that fell was a battery produced by NASA. However, the Japanese launched the ship. Now, Mr. Otero will have to seek his rights.
