safety
Collisions in space are a growing concern. A plan to address it is reigniting a turf war
Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Jackie Wattles , KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 22, 2026
· 3 min read
As the number of satellites orbiting Earth continues to grow, so does the risk of crashes between these spacecraft. Such collisions could create fields of debris, potentially rendering entire areas of orbit useless. Objects in space have crashed, or had near misses, in the past. But while such in...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Jackie Wattles, KXXV (ABC 25) News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway But while such incidents remain extremely rare, there are now more than 18,000 active and inactive satellites in orbit a number that has more than doubled in the past six years alone.
Why this matters in The Waco
The growing concern of collisions in space has significant implications for Waco's community, particularly in the realm of public safety. As the number of satellites in low-Earth orbit increases, the risk of crashes and resulting debris fields poses a threat to the entire space ecosystem. The new rules adopted by the US Federal Communications Commission, which require satellite operators to share real-time tracking data, may help mitigate this risk. However, the turf war between the FCC and the Department of Commerce over space regulatory authority could have far-reaching consequences for the commercial space industry in Texas. With the state's strong presence in the aerospace sector, Waco residents should be aware of the potential impact on local businesses and jobs. The debate over who should regulate space safety and traffic management may ultimately affect the growth and development of the industry in McLennan County, making it essential to monitor the situation closely.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? As the number of satellites orbiting Earth continues to grow, so does the risk of crashes between these spacecraft. Such collisions could create fields of debris, potentially rendering entire areas of orbit useless. Objects in space have crashed, or had near misses, in the past. But while such in...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jackie Wattles at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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