The law firm Cranfill Sumner has filed a claim on behalf of Alejandro Otero and his family, stating that the incident has had a significant impact on their lives.

On March 8, 2024, a metallic cylinder slab from a cargo pallet, which had been released by the International Space Station earlier that year, hit the Otero family's home. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, but it created a hole in the roof and floor of their house. Otero revealed that the object nearly struck his son, who was just two rooms away.

Following the incident, NASA confirmed that the debris found at the Otero's home was from their flight support equipment. The section of debris remained intact, defying expectations of disintegration, after entering Earth's atmosphere and falling to the surface. The metal cylinder weighed approximately 1.6 pounds and measured around 4 inches by 1.6 inches.

The Otero family's claim against NASA encompasses damages for non-insured property, business interruption, emotional and mental anguish, as well as the cost of assistance required from third-party agencies. Their attorney, Mica Nguyen Worthy, expressed that the primary goal is to seek adequate compensation to account for the stress and impact that the event has had on the family's lives. Worthy also highlighted the potential severity of the incident, emphasizing that a slight variation in trajectory could have resulted in serious injury or even fatalities.

Furthermore, Worthy noted that this case seeks to establish a precedent for space debris claims, both in the private and public sector. This incident highlights the need for proper regulations and accountability for space agencies in dealing with situations like this.

NASA has been given six months to respond to the claim, and it remains to be seen how the space agency will address the Otero family's request for compensation. As this unusual case unfolds, it raises important questions about the responsibilities of space agencies in ensuring public safety and offering recourse for damages caused by space debris.