Russian and US satellites collide

BBC ^ | Thursday, 12 February 2009 11:37 GMT, | BBC Staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

US and Russian communications satellites have collided in space in what is thought to be the biggest incident of its kind to date.

The US commercial Iridium spacecraft hit a defunct Russian satellite at an altitude of about 800km (500 miles) over Siberia on Tuesday, Nasa said.

The risk to the International Space Station and a shuttle launch planned for later this month is said to be low.

The impact produced a cloud of debris, which will be tracked into the future.

Since the Soviets launched Sputnik in 1957, it is estimated about 6,000 satellites have been put in orbit.

Satellite operators are all too aware that the chances of a collision are increasing.

	The space station does have the capability of doing a debris-avoidance manoeuvre if necessary John Yembrick Nasa spokesman

The Americans are now following the debris path from the impact. It is hoped that most of it will fall to Earth and burn up in the atmosphere.

Shuttle launch

The concern is whether the debris will spread and pose any risk to the ISS, which is orbiting the Earth some 435km below the course of the collision.

According to the Washington Post, a Nasa memo said officials determined the risk to be "elevated" but have estimated it as "very small and within acceptable limits".

[publius321]

Could be a portent of things to come. http://www.TableOfWisdom.com

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Of the 6,000 satellites sent into orbit since 1957, about 3,000 remain in operation, according to Nasa.

That's a lot of stuff...and I remember when sputnik went up.

[Uncle Miltie]

If the Russkie’s sat was defunct but still mobile, they could’ve arranged the meeting. As a test.

[xcamel]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?m=all;o=time;q=quick;s=satellites
and a few more under other titles..

[Spirochete]

If the Russkie’s sat was defunct but still mobile, they could’ve arranged the meeting. As a test.

Of that I am certain. The chances of an accidental collision are remote, and ground controllers would've seen it coming long in advance.

[The Duke]

Of that I am certain. The chances of an accidental collision are remote,...

I totally agree. Imagine the probability of two rubber rafts colliding in the Atlantic Ocean, and then multiply that probability by at least a factor of 5.

[SunkenCiv]

Oh, here it is already. Thanks Ernest.

[SunkenCiv]

good thing we’re not in charge of SpaceWatch...

;’)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2183500/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2183741/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2183818/posts