Cosmos-2251 was a Russian military communications satellite that was part of the Strela-2M series. Here are detailed facts and historical context regarding this satellite:
Launch and Specifications:
- Cosmos-2251 was launched on June 16, 1993, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.
- It was placed into a low Earth orbit (LEO) with an altitude of approximately 850 kilometers (530 miles).
- The satellite had a mass of about 180 kilograms (397 pounds).
- Its primary function was to provide store-dump communications for the Russian military.
Collision Event:
- On February 10, 2009, Cosmos-2251 collided with the operational Iridium 33 satellite at an altitude of 789 kilometers (490 miles) over Siberia.
- This was the first accidental hypervelocity collision between two intact artificial satellites in Earth orbit.
- The collision resulted in a large debris field, creating over 2,000 pieces of trackable debris. This event significantly increased the debris population in low Earth orbit.
Impact and Aftermath:
- The incident highlighted the growing problem of space debris and prompted discussions on space traffic management and collision avoidance strategies.
- It led to increased calls for the development of technologies to monitor and mitigate space debris.
- The debris from the collision posed a risk to other satellites and spacecraft, including the International Space Station, necessitating avoidance maneuvers.
- Following the collision, the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and other space surveillance networks monitored the debris cloud for potential threats.
Legal and Policy Considerations:
- The event raised questions about liability for damages caused by space debris, although no international legal framework exists specifically for such incidents.
- It underscored the need for international cooperation in managing space traffic and dealing with space debris, leading to discussions at various international space forums.
References:
Related Topics: