In a somewhat surprising move, NORAD released orbital elements of debris of the USA 193 satellite (29651, 2006-057A), intercepted on February 21st (UTC). Seventeen debris have been reported so far - they got numbers from 32502 to 32518.
The collision was pretty violent - some of the debris got kicked to orbits with apogees of about 1600-1900 km. USA 193 itself was on a roughly circular orbit with altitude of about 250 km. The debris are losing altitude fairly rapidly, but some of them will probably stay up for a few weeks at least.
UPDATE 02/28/08: NORAD added 13 more USA 193 fragments to the catalog - 32519 to 32531.
UPDATE 02/28/08: There are 15 more - from 32532 to 32546. Meanwhile, NRO postponed the launch of its new satellite, originally scheduled on February 29, 2008 to avoid potential collision with the USA 193 debris.
UPDATE 02/29/08: Ten more - 32578 to 32587.
UPDATE 03/09/08: And 98 more: 32588-32685.
UPDATE 03/29/08: 19 more: 32688-32698, 32700-32704, 32714, 32731, 32749, 32755
The book
Comments
May I ask which program you used to generate the image above? I have been looking for similar functionality for a while now.
I guess this was to be expected with a kinetic kill policy. But do those debris pose any danger to working satellites in orbit?
Dimitris: It's STK from Analytical Graphics
OakenheaD: The probability is most likely fairly low. The fact that the debris will reenter fairly quickly also helps. But still, probability of an accident is not exactly zero.
I fail to see why this test is being treated with so much scrutiny. Everyone is so concerned with the debris caused by the test, but in reality it shall prove of little consequence. Prudent steps were taken to ensure the debris causd would be minor and not endanger other space platforms.
In contrast, the Chinese ASAT test utilized a method well-known to create much larger and more significant debris which poses a significant danger to other platforms. Some questions for thought.
Where are the threads or posts devoted to tracking its space debris?
Where are the posts/ threads of outrage over its test?
Has the treatment of the two tests on this blog been equitable?
To me this topic is slowly devulging into a forum to criticize and bash the USA for whatever action it takes. Clearly the USA is not perfect, but lest we forget that other nations behavior in recent years has been far more appalling.
I thought (maybe Im dyslexic) the title of this blog was Russianforces.org. If Im right, then why does the USA 193 test feature so prominently. Shouldn't that be reserved for USAforces.org?
BTW I know no such site exists
There is no question that the Chinese ASAT test was much worse as far as debris are concerned. I'm sure if you spend a few minutes with Google you will easily find a reasonably good description of the debris situation after the Chinese test.
Nobody ignores other countries behavior - I wrote at the time that the Chinese test was a mistake. But I don't see why the United States should get a pass just because China created more debris.
And I see no reason to scrutinize every detail of the shootdown. The horse is long dead...
Anonymous:
All of us(except you)on this site are interested in every detail of the shootdown.
Your "reason" why he should not scrutinize is irrelevant, this is Pavel's blog he decides.
Nobody is forcing you to come here, if you don't like it..feel free to leave.