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Space crash: US and Russian Satellites collide over Siberia


satellite-collision

Here’s something you don’t see every day: an American and Russian satellite have had a space crash.

The Iridium communications satellite and a Russian satellite collided Tuesday 491 miles (790kms) over northern Siberia, creating a cloud of wreckage, officials have reported.

The Johnson Space Center in Houston reported that “The U.S. space surveillance network detected a large number of debris from both objects” believed to be at least 600 pieces.

The Russian satellite is believed to be Cosmos 2251, a communications relay station launched in 1993 that has been non-operational for around 10 years.

The International Space Station (ISS) does not appear to be threatened by the debris, officials said, but it’s not known yet whether there may be a risk to other satellites.

Iridium said in a statement that “Although this event has minimal impact on Iridium’s service, the company is taking immediate action to address the loss.” Iridium offers a global satellite phone and communications service.











Comments


8 Archived Responses to “ Space crash: US and Russian Satellites collide over Siberia ”

  1. iamtheantigeek
    Feb 11, 2009

    The Iridium vessel is owned by a business? So why the USA vs. Russia cold war tone?

  2. i calculate that the 900-kilogram Kosmos 2251 satellite collided with the 560-kilogram Iridium 7 satellite at 16:59 GMT, 10th February, over Siberia, roughly 65.8 N, 122.7 E.

  3. caliloser666
    Feb 11, 2009

    Limits are more than calculus lessons for nerds.

  4. Iridium was a spy program with China. It was over Russian space anyway, so no cash.

  5. Will this cloud of debris lead to a chain reaction of bringing down all other satellites?

  6. Cosmic Dominos. Oh noes!