ESA's new space-environment report warns of growing orbital risk.

ESA released its 2026 Space Environment Report overview on September 14, drawing on activity recorded through the end of 2025. It says expanding satellite constellations and insufficient removal of defunct spacecraft are increasing collision risks.

The report adds a metric for the risk to people on the ground from reentries. ESA says this risk remains low compared with everyday hazards, while its orbital projections reinforce the need for active debris removal. Those projections describe modeled futures, not inevitable outcomes.