US family claims over $80,000 from NASA after space debris hit their home

A family in the United Statesis claiming more than $80,000 from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aftera small piece of debris fell fromspaceand smashed through the roof of their home in Florida, the news agency AFP reported on Friday (June 21).

According tolaw firm Cranfill Sumner, the incident occurred on March 8 when the debris weighing700 grams hit Alejandro Otero's home in Naples, Florida, making a hole in the roof. There were no injuries reported.

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Cranfill Sumner pointed out that the problem of space trash has risen dueto increased spatial traffic, andNASA's response could set a precedent for how future claims are handled.

'There could've been injury or fatality'

Cranfill Sumner saidOtero's son was at the house at the moment of impact. Mica Nguyen Worthy, the family's lawyer, said, "My clients are seeking adequate compensation to account for the stress and impact that this event had on their lives."

"They are grateful that no one sustained physical injuries from this incident, but a ‘near miss’ situation such as this could have been catastrophic," Worthy said.

"There could have been serious injury or a fatality," the lawyer added.

A look at the debris

NASA confirmed that the debriswas part of a cargo pallet of used batteries that was released from the InternationalSpaceStation as waste in 2021.

Instead of fully disintegrating before falling to Earth, a section remained intact when it reentered the atmosphere, the USspaceagency added.

(With inputs from agencies)