Low-intensity explosion caused Russian satellite to spew debris – SpaceNews
A Russian satellite, Resurs P1, broke up in orbit, creating over 100 debris pieces. LeoLabs suspects a minor explosion caused by collision or internal failure. The incident poses risks to operational satellites.
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A Russian satellite, Resurs P1, experienced a breakup event on June 26, resulting in over 100 pieces of debris in low Earth orbit. Analysis by LeoLabs suggests a "low-intensity explosion" caused by a collision or internal failure within the spacecraft. The debris cloud contains at least 250 fragments at altitudes up to 500 kilometers. Speculation of an anti-satellite weapons test was ruled out. The main satellite remains intact but with malfunctioning solar panels. The debris poses a risk to operational satellites, including the International Space Station and China's Tiangong space station, as they will orbit for "weeks to months" before decaying due to atmospheric drag. This incident highlights the ongoing threat of defunct spacecraft in orbit, with over 2,500 similar long-lived derelict objects at risk of fragmentation over time. Resurs P1, decommissioned in 2021, is expected to reenter the Earth's atmosphere later this year as its orbit decays.
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2 commentsBut IANAAE (Aerospace Engineer). Just like "rapid unscheduled disassembly", "fell apart" may be AE lingo.
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