A family in Naples, Fla., is pursuing compensation from NASA following an alarming incident in March when a piece of metal debris from the International Space Station punctured the roof of their home. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the legal representative for the Otero family emphasized the severity of the event, calling it a “near miss” that could have been catastrophic.
According to a news release issued on Friday, homeowner Alejandro Otero recounted receiving a frantic call from his son and returning home to discover a dense cylindrical object, slightly smaller than a soup can, lodged in a wall—a stark reminder that it “was from outer space.””The Otero family seeks adequate compensation to address the stress and impact this event has had on their lives,” stated their attorney, Mica Nguyen Worthy, in the release. “Had the debris struck just a few feet away, the consequences could have been dire, possibly resulting in serious injury or worse.”
Read More: Debris with Yellow Plume Falls in Chinese Village, Possible Rocket or Satellite Fragment
NASA has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the legal claim.
The debris in question, identified as a 1.6-pound cylindrical object, originated from a 5,800-pound cargo pallet carrying old nickel hydride batteries released from the International Space Station in March 2021, as previously confirmed by NASA. Expected to burn up upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, its survival has raised concerns about future incidents involving space debris.
“Space debris poses a significant and growing threat due to increased space activities in recent years,” Worthy highlighted.
The outcome of NASA’s response to this claim could establish legal precedent for handling similar incidents involving U.S. citizens and residents, Worthy suggested, urging NASA to adhere to its obligations under international space law.
Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, NASA has a six-month period to respond to the claim, which includes damages for noninsured property loss, business interruption, emotional distress, and associated costs.
