A cylindrical metal object weighing 1.6 pounds, measuring 4 inches long and 1.6 inches wide, crashed through the Otero family’s home, causing extensive damage. Otero expressed disbelief and gratitude that no one was injured in the incident. “I was shaking. I just couldn’t believe it. There’s no way something could fall on my house and cause this much damage,” she said. “I’m just so grateful that no one was hurt.”
NASA later confirmed the object was a metal support used to attach old batteries to a discarded cargo pallet, which was jettisoned from the space station in 2021. The cargo was expected to burn up completely upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, but one piece of debris managed to survive and land on the Otero family’s property.
The family, represented by the law firm Cranfill Sumner, is seeking compensation for uninsured property, business interruption, emotional distress and third-party assistance costs. Attorney Micah Nguyen Worthy emphasized the seriousness of the space debris issue, saying, “My clients seek full compensation for the stress and impact this event has had on their lives,” adding, “They are thankful that no one was physically injured in this incident, but this ‘near miss’ situation could have been catastrophic. If the debris had fallen a few feet in the other direction, serious injury or death could have occurred.”
Worthy also stressed that the lawsuit aims to set a precedent for space debris claims in both the private and public sectors. NASA has been given six months to respond to the Otero family’s claim.