Below is a computer-generated image of an object currently being tracked in low earth orbit. The orbital debris dots are scaled to the image size of the graphic, optimized for visibility, and unscaled to Earth. (Provided by NASA ODPO)
The “worst case scenario” was thwarted on Friday when two large pieces of space debris were just off each other. Leo Lab.
LeoLabs says the wreckage contained a defunct satellite Cosmos 2361 The SL-8 rocket body is one of the myriad pieces of space debris currently in low earth orbit.
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according to NASALow Earth Orbit (or LEO) objects include objects that orbit the Earth at altitudes of 1,200 miles (2,000 km) or less.
On Friday, Cosmos 2381 and the SL-8 rocket body nearly collided at an altitude of about 611 miles (984 km).
An image showing how two large defunct objects in LEO were slightly misaligned on January 27, 2023. Each line represents the path of the SL-8 rocket body (16511) and the Cosmos 2361 (25590) satellite.
(LeoLabs / https://leolabs.space / FOX Weather)
LeoLabs determined that the two pieces of space debris were about 20 feet (6 meters) apart from each other, within a margin of error of only a few tens of meters.
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LeoLabs has identified this type of collision between two large derelict objects as a ‘worst-case scenario’ because it is largely uncontrollable and can result in dangerous collision encounter ramifications. I did.” Tweet.
They said that if Cosmos 2381 and the SL-8 rocket body collided with each other, the collision would create thousands of new debris fragments that would remain for decades.
Telescopes have helped humans see the universe beyond our world and find ways to explore it.
This close collision is important because it shows how much space debris is suspended in low Earth orbit.
According to LeoLabs, the layers of LEO are Only about 62 miles thick Contains an estimated 160 SL-8 rocket bodies and 160 payloads deployed over 20 years ago.
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According to LeoLabs, this “bad region” of LEO is located between 950 and 1050 km altitude and continues to be a debris impact hotspot.
Astronaut Randy Bresnick on a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. The ISS is in low earth orbit.
(NASA/NASA)
These collisions and near-collisions in LEO are still on the minds of many.
In addition to the presence of non-functioning space debris, Leo region Also considered a close enough area earth According to NASA, it is convenient for transportation, communications, observation and resupply.
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In fact, LEO is international space station It is currently in orbit and is where many of the proposed future platforms will be located.
