Flight Safety Information - March 22, 2021 No. 059 In This Issue : Incident: Endeavor CRJ9 at Chattanooga on Mar 18th 2021, wing tip strike on landing : Accident: Trigana B734 at Jakarta on Mar 20th 2021, right main gear failure causes runway excursion on landing : Incident: LATAM Brasil A320 near Rio de Janeiro on Mar 16th 2021, hail strike : Incident: West Atlantic ATP at East Midlands on Mar 11th 2021, smell of smoke in cockpit, communication problem : United Airlines flight forced to make an emergency landing after a 'report of someone's ear being bit off' : As Boeing Works On 737 MAX Planes, India Not Yet Ready To Certify Jets : UPS pilots detained in Hong Kong while awaiting COVID test results : DC Aviation Al-Futtaim receives Stage 2 IS-BAH certification : China Airlines Officially Retires Its Passenger Boeing 747-400s : Delta Airlines $72b. total assets largest among airlines, revenue in 2020 down by 174% due to COVID-19 : Flight training company to triple size of its fleet of aircrafts : Mission to clear space junk using magnets set for launch Incident: Endeavor CRJ9 at Chattanooga on Mar 18th 2021, wing tip strike on landing An Endeavor Canadair CRJ-900 on behalf of Delta Airlines, registration N910XJ performing flight DL-4757 from Atlanta,GA to Chattanooga,TN (USA), landed on Chattanooga's runway 20 however, struck the left wing tip onto the runway surface. The aircraft rolled out without further incident and vacated the runway. There were no injuries. The aircraft was unable to depart for the return flight and is still on the ground in Chattanooga about 19.5 hours after landing. A replacement CRJ-900 registration N914XJ positioned from Detroit,MI (USA) to Chattanooga and performed the return flight arriving in Atlanta with a delay of 3:45 hours. http://avherald.com/h?article=4e4a093f&opt=0 Accident: Trigana B734 at Jakarta on Mar 20th 2021, right main gear failure causes runway excursion on landing A Trigana Boeing 737-400 freighter, registration PK-YSF performing a freight flight from Jakarta Halim to Makassar (Indonesia) with 4 crew, was climbing out of Halim's runway 24 at 10:53L (03:53Z) when the crew stopped the climb at about 3000 feet due to problems with the right hand main gear. The crew entered a hold while attempting to correct the problem and subsequently returned to Halim airport for a landing on runway 24 at about 11:28L (04:28Z) about 35 minutes after departure. Following touchdown the aircraft skidded on the runway on left main gear, nose gear and right engine pod, during the last stages of the roll out the aircraft veered right off the runway and came to a stop with all gear collapsed. There were no injuries, the aircraft sustained substantial damage. http://avherald.com/h?article=4e4a9764&opt=0 Incident: LATAM Brasil A320 near Rio de Janeiro on Mar 16th 2021, hail strike A LATAM Brasil Airbus A320-200, registration PR-MYQ performing flight JJ-3031 from Rio de Janeiro Galeao,RJ to Fortaleza,CE (Brazil) with 67 passengers and 6 crew, was climbing out of Rio de Janeiro's runway 15 deviating around weather when the aircraft encountered hail causing the left hand windshield to crack. The crew stopped the climb at FL140, descended back to FL120 and due to the weather decided to divert to Belo Horizonte,MG (Brazil) for a safe landing on runway 16 about 80 minutes after departure. Brazil's CENIPA reported the aircraft sustained minor damage to the outer layer of the left windshield and the radome. The occurrence was rated an incident. http://avherald.com/h?article=4e4a2315&opt=0 Incident: West Atlantic ATP at East Midlands on Mar 11th 2021, smell of smoke in cockpit, communication problem A West Atlantic (aka West Air Sweden) British Aerospace ATP, registration SE-MAI performing flight NPT-22Y from East Midlands,EN to Guernsey,CI (UK), was climbing out of East Midlands' runway 27 when the crew stopped the climb at about 2500 feet reporting the smell of smoke in the cockpit, in addition they had problems with parts of their communication systems. The aircraft entered a downwind and landed safely back on runway 27 about 15 minutes after departure. The UK AAIB opened an investigation into the occurrence. http://avherald.com/h?article=4e4accda&opt=0 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan crashes in a mountainous area near Marsabit, Kenya Date: Saturday 20 March 2021 Time: 10:10 Type: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan Operator: Aeronav Air Services Registration: 5Y-JKN C/n / msn: 208B0688 First flight: 1998 Engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A Crew: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Passengers: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 Total: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Aircraft damage: Destroyed Aircraft fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Marsabit ( Kenya) Phase: Approach (APR) Nature: Ferry/positioning Departure airport: Nairobi-Wilson Airport (WIL/HKNW), Kenya Destination airport: Marsabit Airport (RBT/HKMB), Kenya Narrative: A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan crashed in a mountainous area near Marsabit, Kenya, killing both occupants. The aircraft was flying to Marsabit to pick up passengers for a peace meeting in the Ileret area. It had been chartered by the Marsabit County Government. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20210320-1 United Airlines flight forced to make an emergency landing after a 'report of someone's ear being bit off' A flight from Newark to Miami was diverted after police were alerted about a "disruptive" passenger. The suspect bit and punched other passengers and had to be sedated with Benadryl, USA Today reported. He was arrested after police found 1.5 grams of methamphetamines in his pocket, the media outlet said. A United Airlines flight made an emergency stop after a "disruptive" man bit and punched other passengers, according to a police report seen by USA Today. The flight from Newark to Miami had to land in Charleston, South Carolina, after a "report of someone's ear being bit off," a spokesperson for Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department told USA Today. One passenger told police that the suspect, identified as John Yurkovich, was "agitated" after a visit to the bathroom. Yurkovich then began to "scream and thrash around," according to a police report seen by USA Today. He then proceeded to hit a passenger with a "closed fist" and broke their glasses, the police report said. Others tried to restrain Yurkovich but the initial victim received a deep wound to the ear during the scuffle, USA Today reported. Another passenger was punched by Yurkovich and told police that he thought his nose had been broken, the media outlet said. Yet another traveler was injured in the incident. He told the police that he was punched in the "temporal region," according to USA Today. A doctor on the flight tried to pacify Yurkovich by injecting him with Benadryl, the police report said. John Yurkovich, 45, of New Jersey faces a single count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Police apprehended Yurkovich once the plane had been taxied to the gate, USA Today reported. His hands had been tied behind his back with zip ties and a belt when the police approached him, the media outlet said. Yurkovich was arrested on a charge of "possession with intent to distribute methamphetamines" after police found 1.5 grams of the drug in his pocket, police said. FBI also has other pending charges against Yurkovich, USA Today reported. https://www.yahoo.com/news/united-airlines-flight-forced-emergency-124735499.html As Boeing Works On 737 MAX Planes, India Not Yet Ready To Certify Jets Boeing has begun working on five ex-Jet Airways 737 MAXs in preparation for them to fly once again. The aircraft will return to lessors or new customers in the coming months; however, there is a hurdle. India is yet to recertify the MAX and has not allowed the aircraft to fly again, also forcing SpiceJet’s 13 jets to stay on the ground. Return to service According to a report from the Times of India, Boeing technicians have arrived in India to return five 737 MAXs to flying conditions. The aircraft belonged to Jet Airways but were later taken back by lessors due to unpaid due after the airline went bankrupt in April 2019. However, the MAX’s grounding meant that were no new airlines taking on the jet in the short run, leaving the planes in India. Now that the MAX is back in service in a dozen countries around the world, lessors are looking to take back their planes. Data from Planespotters.net shows that four of the planes belong to GECAS and one is owned by SMBC Aviation Capital. Registrations VT-JXA through -JXE will return to lessors Boeing teams will bring the aircraft out of deep storage, conduct maintenance checks, and prepare the plane for flight. Moreover, the teams will make the needed software and hardware changes to the aircraft needed after its recertification. India not ready yet While the lessors can request special permission to ferry their 737 MAXs out of India (as has happened in the past), the country is not ready to recertify the jet just yet. According to Business Standard, the DGCA (India’s aviation regulator) is actively monitoring global 737 MAX flights and making an assessment for recertification. In a statement, DGCA Direct General Arun Kumar said, “We are getting weekly updates on the performance of the aircraft…Even though, FAA and EASA have approved the return of the aircraft. We will conduct our own due diligence.” SpiceJet’s woes The lack of recertification means that SpiceJet has not called for Boeing technicians for key maintenance. Moreover, the airline is also locked in a legal battle with lessors since it has not paid leases on the MAX since its grounding. SpiceJet had previously hoped to have the 737 MAX back in the sky by April, which seems unlikely now. The airline operates a fleet of 13 MAXs and struggled in 2019 following the grounding, forcing it to scale back capacity. However, considering that international flights remain largely on the ground, SpiceJet may have ample capacity for now. The airline is now looking to expand in the domestic market instead, adding dozens of new routes. Once the MAX is back in India, expect deliveries and flights to quickly rise. https://simpleflying.com/boeing-737-max-india-delayed-certification/ UPS pilots detained in Hong Kong while awaiting COVID test results US defends FedEx in dispute over pilot quarantines UPS pilots disembarking for rest in Hong Kong report they are being forced to wait in government facilities for COVID-19 test results rather than proceed to their hotel, a situation that could escalate tensions with the U.S. over restrictive COVID-19 health measures on aircrews arriving in the semiautonomous city. The U.S. Department of Transportation earlier this week retaliated against Hong Kong’s aggressive quarantine measures for pilots that are impacting cargo flights by FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX), but give a pass to certain flights by local carrier Cathay Pacific. “Crews laying over in Hong Kong are now subject to new rules requiring that crewmembers tested for COVID-19 upon arrival must wait for test results prior to being allowed to proceed to the crew hotel,” the union representing UPS (NYSE: UPS) pilots said in a communication to members obtained by American Shipper. “The Independent Pilots Association objects to any such new rule and is taking these objections to UPS and to the U.S. government. If you layover in Hong Kong and experience any new procedures, including delays or increased wait times, please file a detailed event report,” the message said. The IPA called Hong Kong’s entry procedures unacceptable, adding that they impact rest and duty time. Hong Kong requires airline crews take COVID tests before departure and only fly to Hong Kong if they test negative. On certain flights, as previously reported by American Shipper, UPS pilots take a rapid test in the air before descent and forward the results to avoid being quarantined in mass settings at the expo center or hospitals against their will. If the in-flight test is positive, the pilots stay at the airport and leave on the next outbound UPS flight. Hong Kong, which is increasingly controlled by the central government in China, also conducts an invasive PCR test with a nasal swab when crews leave the airport. Until now, crews were allowed to wait for results at their hotel and only sent to government quarantine facilities if they, or a close contact, tested positive. Under the new policy, aircrews must wait for results at designated airport holding rooms. UPS Airlines has also learned that Hong Kong’s rules now apply to pilots whether they domicile in Hong Kong or not, spokesman Mike Mangeot said in an email. Pilots are spending about two hours in a holding area, although he added that another carrier provided feedback that it took only an hour for a crew to be released. A third source, not with UPS who asked not to be named, said pilots potentially could be held for several hours, preventing pilots from going to bed right away. “We continue to work with officials in Hong Kong to ensure the safe and timely transit of our pilots,” Mangeot said. “We don’t anticipate the testing to impact service to our customers.” Earlier this month, FedEx pilots appealed to the highest levels of FedEx to stop layovers in Hong Kong because of the conditions in Hong Kong facilities and asymptomatic pilots being kept in group settings that put them at increased risk of getting sick. FedEx also has about 180 pilots home-based in Hong Kong and relocated them, and their families, to San Francisco after Hong Kong in late January imposed two- to three-week quarantines on arriving aircrews domiciled there. The express carrier says the new arrangement has significantly increased operational costs. Cathay Pacific said at the time the rules could cut its cargo capacity by 25%, but it is benefiting from a carve-out on cargo flights from Anchorage, Alaska. The combination carrier has a large transshipment operation in Anchorage where shipments are relayed from locations in the continental United States. Hong Kong is a hub in FedEx’s intra-Asia network, but the carrier doesn’t fly there from Anchorage and doesn’t benefit from the exemption. On Tuesday, the Transportation Department warned it could restrict flights by Cathay Pacific, the fifth-largest air cargo operator by volume, after efforts to resolve the situation went unanswered. It ordered all-cargo and passenger services to file flight schedules by Tuesday to help determine if there are any violations of U.S. law or harm to the public interest. The order charged Hong Kong with hindering the rightful operations of U.S. carriers to compete under the bilateral air services agreement between the countries. “The manner in which Hong Kong has imposed its restrictions disproportionately impacts U.S. carriers to the exclusive benefit of Hong Kong carriers,” the DOT order said. “Hong Kong already has significantly harmed [FedEx’s] operations and drastically upended the competitive dynamics of the market by implementing an exception for Anchorage.” The Air Line Pilots Association, which represents FedEx pilots, thanked the DOT for trying to level the playing field in the U.S.-Hong Kong market. “Hong Kong’s actions with respect to coronavirus-related aircrew quarantines are inconsistent, haphazard and pose an ongoing risk to U.S. pilots by forcing ‘close contact’ crews to quarantine upon arrival at a government quarantine camp,” ALPA President Joe DePete said in a statement. “We are encouraged by the DOT’s initial step and hope that the DOT and the State Department will continue to press Hong Kong until the onerous testing and quarantine treatment of U.S. crews is rectified.” FedEx said in a statement, “We hope that the action taken by the U.S. Department of Transportation on March 16 will aid in resolving this matter. Hong Kong is an important market for FedEx, and we continue to operate and serve our customers there with the safety and well-being of our team members as our top priority.” Most U.S. carriers have ceased overnight crew layovers in Hong Kong to avoid the risk of being sent to quarantine camps and change crews in other locations, such as Tokyo and Seoul, South Korea, to comply with hours-of-service requirements. But the extra stops add time, fuel and other costs for what are supposed to be nonstop flights. The aviation dispute comes amid deteriorating relations between the U.S. and China. Officials exchanged tense words Thursday during the first face-to-face meeting between the Biden administration and Chinese officials. Top disagreements involve human rights, democracy, trade and geopolitical influence in Southeast Asia. Last summer the U.S. threatened to restrict access by Chinese passenger airlines after Chinese authorities were slow to allow U.S. carriers to resume service after initial coronavirus lockdowns that shut down air service to prevent the spread of infections. https://www.freightwaves.com/news/exclusive-ups-pilots-detained-in-hong-kong-while-awaiting-covid-test-results DC Aviation Al-Futtaim receives Stage 2 IS-BAH certification DC Aviation Al-Futtaim has received the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) Stage 2 certification for its Fixed Base Operations (FBO) located at Dubai South. DC Aviation Al-Futtaim receives Stage 2 IS-BAH certification. Image: DC Aviation Al-Futtaim DCAF had completed its Stage 1 certification in May 2019. IS-BAH Stage 2 Certification is the second of three levels of the highest possible safety standards that an FBO can have. The certification is the global industry standard on safety management and risk mitigation for business aviation handlers. The accreditation process involved a complete audit of DCAF’s FBO safety management systems, emergency and security procedures, organisational structure, training protocols and operating procedures and was conducted by an independent auditor from the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). Susan Bujtas, director of ground operations at DC Aviation Al-Futtaim said, “The safety of our customers and employees remains our top priority. It is an ongoing investment we make and is part and parcel of our DNA. The successful completion of the Stage 2 audit was a result of months of around-the-clock hard work from all the teams involved and the continuous support of the management. This certification further demonstrates our vision to provide customers with the highest levels of safety and service.” “The beautifully appointed DC Aviation Al-Futtaim VIP facility unquestionably upholds the same high standards of the wider DC Aviation Group,” said Karen Hein-Jones who conducted the IS-BAH inspection audit. “The DC Aviation Al-Futtaim team should be very proud of their strong result which validates their commitment to their clients and safety – it is clear this organisation is handling aircraft to a very high standard in the UAE.” https://www.arabianaerospace.aero/dc-aviation-al-futtaim-receives-stage-2-is-bah-certification.html China Airlines Officially Retires Its Passenger Boeing 747-400s Another airline retired the last of its Boeing 747 passenger fleet on the weekend. Taipei-based China Airlines flew its final 747-400 passenger service on Saturday, March 20. It marks the end of an era at the airline which has operated the jumbo jet since 1975. A five-hour scenic flight to Mount Fuji With regular international services curtailed, China Airlines flew a scenic flight on Saturday to mark the end of its passenger 747-400 services. The plane, B-18215, set out on a five-hour flight, carrying 375 fare-paying passengers keen to see the Queen of the Skies off in style. “This was the last aircraft to be produced and delivered to China Airlines by Boeing in April 2005,” says China Airlines in a statement. “For more than half a century, the 747 has been one of the most important aircraft types in history.” In a tribute to the aircraft type, Saturday’s flight was tagged as CI2747. The flight took off just after midday on Saturday (Taipei time). Flight tracking data shows the 747 making a beeline for Japan. After cruising at around 10,000 meters, midway in the flight, the aircraft descended to around half that as it circled Japan’s Mount Fuji. B-18215 headed back to Taiwan, flying over the East China Sea. The plane touched down at 17:19 local time, and another page in aviation’s history book was turned. The Boeing 747 flies for 46 years at China Airlines China Airlines’ first 747s began flying back in the mid-1970s. The airline initially bought two 747-100s (B-1860 and B-1868) from Delta Air Lines and set them to work on the Hong Kong-Taipei-Tokyo-Honolulu-Los Angeles route. A few years later, a pair of Boeing 747SPs arrived. The SP had the wings to fly to North America nonstop. Soon after, Boeing 747-200s began arriving at China Airlines. Those planes could fly to Europe nonstop, and China Airlines’ global footprint steadily grew. In 1990, the first of the Boeing 747-400s began landing at China Airlines. The 747-400 would go on to be the most popular 747 type at China Airlines and played a substantial role in the airline’s growth at the time. The Boeing 747-400 would go on to fly some colorful but short-lived routes, including China Airlines’ around the world Taipei-Anchorage-New York-Amsterdam-Dubai-Taipei route. Boeing 747 retirement at China Airlines a long time coming The travel downturn may have accelerated the demise of the 747-400 at China Airlines, but the plane’s retirement has been on the books for several years. Last year, Simple Flying reported China Airlines had been phasing out the jumbo jet since 2014. The 747-400 was gradually taken off high-profile flagship routes and redeployed onto high-density regional routes. The report called the process a “fading out” of the 747-400. Like airlines elsewhere, China Airlines has brought in Boeing 777-300ERs and sleek Airbus A350-900s to replace the 747-400. Since the glory days of the 747-400s, airlines have become more attuned to operating efficiencies and keen to reduce costs. That strategic shift helped mark the end of the 747-400, not just at China Airlines but also at airlines worldwide. Meanwhile, the handful of China Airlines passenger 747-400s still in Taiwan are up for sale. The airline still retains 747-400 freighters. You’ll still see China Airlines 747-400s landing at airports – but unfortunately, you won’t be able to buy a ticket to fly on one of them. https://simpleflying.com/china-airlines-boeing-747-final-flight/ Delta Airlines $72b. total assets largest among airlines, revenue in 2020 down by 174% due to COVID-19 As mobility around the world was halted, passenger numbers dropped for the entire industry, and Deltas passenger load factor dropped from 86.3% in 2019 to 55% in 2020, a decrease of around 36.3%. The airline industry is one of the hardest-hit industries by the COVID-19 pandemic. Air passenger traffic declined by historic levels as countries shut their borders in a bid to protect their citizens from the pandemic. According to data presented by TradingPlatforms.com, Delta Airlines’s Operating income recorded a loss of over $12B, a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delta Has Largest Total Assets Among Airlines - $72b. Delta Airlines is not only one of the biggest airline companies in the USA but it is also one of the biggest in the world. In terms of total assets, Delta has the largest, holding assets of an estimated $72B as of Feb 2021. Its two main competitors; American Airlines ($58.6B) and United Airlines ($53B), are second and third on the list respectively. Southwest Airlines is the only other USA based airline on the top 10 list with total assets of almost $27B. Asia is represented three times on the top ten list with China Southern leading the way with almost $36B in total assets. Europe has two airlines on the top ten list led by German carrier, Lufthansa ($48B). Qatar Airways is the lone airline from the Middle East to make the top 10 list with total assets of $27.2B. Delta’s Operating Revenue Decreased by 174% from 2019-2020 Delta’s large holdings in total assets did not make the company immune to the effects of the pandemic on the entire industry. As mobility around the world was halted, passenger numbers dropped for the entire industry, and Deltas passenger load factor dropped from 86.3% in 2019 to 55% in 2020, a decrease of around 36.3%. As a result, operations were significantly decreased resulting in a net loss of over $12B compared to 2019’s net income of almost $4.8B. Delta’s operating revenue of close to 12.9B in 2020 is also a 174% decrease from 2019’s revenue of $47B - a clear impact of the pandemic. American Airlines Owns Largest Market Share and Have Most Employed Among US Airlines in 2020 Despite holding the largest amount of total assets, Delta owned only the third-largest share of the market among airlines from the USA with 15.5%. American Airlines had the biggest share with 19.3% followed by Southwest Airlines with 17.49%. United Airlines owned the smallest share from America’s ‘Big 4’ airlines with only 12.4%. To keep up with its large share of the market, American Airlines have the largest number of full-time equivalent employees. American Airlines’ workforce of over 94,700 dwarfs the next largest workforce from Delta of just under 60,000. https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/delta-airlines-72b-total-assets-largest-among-airlines-revenue-in-2020-down-by-174-due-to-covid-19 Flight training company to triple size of its fleet of aircrafts FORT MYERS — Paragon Flight Training recently signed a 10-year contract with the Lee County Port Authority, a move that will triple its aircraft fleet operations at Page Field. The contact will also enable Paragon Flight Training to expand its training and aviation technology services, according to a statement. On the equipment, the flight academy intends to grow its fleet from 15 aircraft to 45 to 55 within five years. It also plans to purchase and renovate a 14,000-square-foot hangar that will be used as a maintenance hub for the growing fleet, the release adds. The facility will bring education, employment and economic development opportunities to Southwest Florida, say Paragon officials. “This expansion positions us to keep up with increased industry demand, giving students the world-class training they need to do the job better than anyone else,” Paragon Flight Training CEO Chris Schoensee says in the statement. “Our state-of-the-art facility has always been top-notch, and now, we’re breaking down walls — both literally and metaphorically — make way for the future of aviation.” Based at Page Field in Fort Myers, Paragon Flight offers pilot training and education to people from around the world who want to fly for recreation or as a profession, including commercial, military and government pilots. https://www.businessobserverfl.com/article/flight-training-company-to-triple-size-of-its-fleet-of-aircrafts Mission to clear space junk using magnets set for launch A Japanese-made technology aimed at clearing low-Earth orbit of hazardous space debris is about to be put through its paces. Space junk is a growing problem, with around 9,000 tons of the stuff currently orbiting our planet in millions of pieces. Much of the debris poses a serious threat to functioning satellites that provide important telecommunications services, weather information, and other data for daily life here on terra firma. The human-inhabited International Space Station isn’t free of danger, either, as only last year it was forced to perform a swift maneuver to dodge a piece of junk that could’ve caused a catastrophic accident. NASA defines space junk as “human-generated objects, such as pieces of spacecraft, tiny flecks of paint from a spacecraft, parts of rockets, satellites that are no longer working, or explosions of objects in orbit flying around in space at high speeds.” Japan-based Astroscale has developed a system that will use magnets to attract debris before carrying it toward the Earth’s atmosphere where both the satellite and the junk will burn up. Its first demonstration mission, called ELSA-d, will launch from Kazakhstan on the evening of Sunday, March 21 ET. You can watch it live in the embedded player below. The test mission will use the main “servicer satellite” and also a “client satellite” that will act as piece of space junk. Once in low-Earth orbit, the servicer satellite will release the “junk” before attempting a rendezvous procedure using its magnetic docking technology. The process of catching and releasing will be performed repeatedly over the next six months, with each procedure presenting a greater level of difficulty. The aim of the mission is to confirm the servicer satellite’s ability to locate and dock with targeted pieces of space junk. Notably, the satellite is not designed to capture pieces of junk that are currently in orbit, but instead satellites deployed in the future that are fitted with special docking plates compatible with Astroscale’s system. A NASA report published earlier this year highlighted the problem of space-based debris. It said there are currently at least 26,000 pieces of junk “the size of a softball or larger that could destroy a satellite on impact; over 500,000 the size of a marble big enough to cause damage to spacecraft or satellites; and over 100 million the size of a grain of salt that could puncture a spacesuit.” And with more satellites big and small heading to space, the problem is set to worsen unless technology like Astroscale’s starts tackling it. Indeed, a growing number of companies are developing various junk-busting technologies that include an iodine thruster system, a giant space harpoon, and a collision avoidance process that uses talcum powder and lasers. https://www.digitaltrends.com/news/mission-to-clear-space-junk-using-magnets-set-for-launch/ Curt Lewis