Two Satellites Collide 500 miles above Siberia February 12, 2009
Posted by jcconwell in Astronomy, satellites.Tags: 2009 BD81, satellite
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Just when we thought it was safe to come out, after Asteroid 2009 bd81 was taken off the risk page, comes this! A Iridium communications satellite collides in orbit with a old Russian satellite. For the full article, go to our friends at Universe Today .
iridium satellite system, Credit: Spaceflightnow.com
A commercial Iridium communications satellite collided with a Russian satellite or satellite fragment, on Tuesday, creating a cloud of wreckage in low-Earth orbit, according to CBS News. A source quoted in the article said U.S. Space Command is tracking about 280 pieces of debris, most of it from a non-operational Russian satellite. It appears the International Space Station is not currently threatened by the debris, but it’s not yet clear whether the debris poses a risk to any other satellites in similar orbits. Iridium operates a constellation of approximately 66 satellites, along with orbital spares, to support satellite telephone operations around the world.
