China's Long March 6A rocket is making a mess in low-Earth orbit
China's Long March 6A rocket disintegrated after launching 18 satellites, creating over 700 debris objects. This incident raises concerns about space safety as China plans to expand its satellite network significantly.
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China's Long March 6A rocket has caused significant debris in low-Earth orbit following its recent launch of 18 satellites for a planned megaconstellation. The upper stage of the rocket disintegrated, creating a debris field of at least 700 objects, with estimates suggesting this could rise to over 900. The breakup occurred at an altitude of 503 miles approximately 13.5 hours after launch. US Space Command confirmed the event but noted no immediate threats to existing satellites or the International Space Station. This incident adds to the growing concern over space debris, as the Long March 6A has a history of upper stage breakups, with previous launches also resulting in significant debris. The European Space Agency has reported over 640 fragmentation events in orbit, highlighting the frequency of such occurrences. The Long March 6A's design does not include measures to mitigate debris, unlike many other rockets that either reignite engines to reenter the atmosphere or passivate their stages. As China plans to expand its satellite network to potentially over 14,000 satellites, the risk of further debris generation remains a critical issue for space safety and sustainability.
- The Long March 6A rocket's upper stage disintegrated, creating a debris field of at least 700 objects.
- This incident raises concerns about the increasing risk of collisions in low-Earth orbit.
- The Long March 6A has a history of upper stage breakups, contributing to space debris.
- China plans to expand its satellite network significantly, increasing the potential for future debris.
- Existing space debris mitigation guidelines are emphasized as crucial for reducing new debris creation.
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