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Debris falling in Texas, possibly from satellites

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-16 09:22

DALLAS -- The Federal Aviation Administration has received numerous reports of falling debris across Texas, which could be related to a recent satellite collision.

A computer-generated image released by the European Space Agency (ESA) shows trackable objects in Low Earth Orbit (LOE). [CFP]

Related readings: Probe of satellite crash needs days Satellite collision not to 'delay' space program China alert on satellite collision Collision poses low risk to ISS

Some of the callers around midmorning Sunday reported what looked like a fireball in the sky.

FAA spokesman Roland Herwig says officials suspect the debris could be related to the collision, but that has not been confirmed.

The FAA notified pilots Saturday to be aware of possible debris after a collision Tuesday between US and Russian communication satellites. The chief of Russia's Mission Control says clouds of debris from the collision will circle Earth and threaten numerous satellites.

A spokesman for the County Sheriff's Office says the department used its helicopter to search for the source of the debris but found nothing.