February 16, 2025
Qantas Johannesburg Flights Delayed by SpaceX Rocket Debris

Qantas Johannesburg Flights Delayed by SpaceX Rocket Debris

Qantas has experienced delays on its Sydney-Johannesburg route due to falling debris from SpaceX rocket re-entries in southern Indian Ocean.
A Qantas B787 takes off from Sydney
Windmemories, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Qantas flights between Sydney and Johannesburg have been facing significant delays over the past few weeks due to falling debris from SpaceX rockets.

The Australian flag carrier has been forced to alter flight schedules at the last minute to avoid potential collisions with rocket debris re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

According to The Guardian, scheduled flights were delayed after last minute warnings of SpaceX rocket re-entries in a region of the southern Indian Ocean.

Ben Holland, the head of Qantas’s operations centre said there was little advance notice given of where the rockets would fall.

“Over the past few weeks we’ve had to delay several flights between Johannesburg and Sydney due to advice received from the US Government regarding the re-entry of SpaceX rockets over an extensive area of the Southern Indian Ocean.”

SpaceX Controlled Rocket Re-Entries


SpaceX is a leading aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk. It has revolutionized space access with its reusable rockets, particularly the Falcon 9.

These rockets are designed for multiple launches and landings, significantly reducing the cost of space travel. However, after completing their missions, spent rocket stages are typically guided back to Earth. They then carry out a controlled re-entry in designated areas.

A SpaceX falcon 9 rocket launch.

Southern Indian Ocean Zone 

SpaceX has been directing spent rocket stages to re-enter the atmosphere over the remote southern Indian Ocean. This has caused conflict with Qantas flight paths which transit the region.

While this area is chosen for its remoteness, the precise timing and location of the re-entry can vary significantly. This can be attributed to several factors:  

  • Atmospheric conditions: Atmospheric density and winds can influence the trajectory and speed of the falling debris, making accurate predictions challenging.
  • Rocket stage design: The mass and configuration of the rocket stage, including the presence of residual fuel, can affect its descent path.
  • Guidance systems: SpaceX employs sophisticated guidance systems to control the re-entry. However, unforeseen factors can cause deviations from the planned trajectory.
A Qantas 787-9 on the tarmac at night.
Photo Credit: Qantas

Conflict with Commercial Air Traffic


These uncertainties have forced Qantas to make last-minute adjustments to flight paths, leading to delays of up to six hours. The airline has been proactive in informing passengers about the delays. It has worked to minimize the impact on their travel experience.

However, the unpredictable nature of rocket re-entries poses a persistent challenge for the airline. This highlights the growing concern about the increasing amount of space debris orbiting the Earth.  

To address this issue, various measures are being considered. These include developing more precise re-entry prediction models, and implementing active debris removal technologies. It also involves the establishment of international guidelines for space activities to minimize the risk of debris accumulation.

As space exploration and commercial space activities continue to intensify, it will be crucial to address the issue of space debris proactively to ensure the safety and sustainability of space operations.

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