Why is assigning a definitive 'meteor strike' cause to damaged, un-tracked small satellites exceptionally difficult?

Answer

Damage from small natural particles might mimic other electronic failures or slow degradation.

Because the effects of small natural particle impacts can resemble other forms of slow degradation or electronic failure, definitively attributing the cause is difficult for objects not actively monitored by global tracking networks.

Why is assigning a definitive 'meteor strike' cause to damaged, un-tracked small satellites exceptionally difficult?

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