BS: Space Debris

Subject: BS: Space Debris
From: beardedbruce
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 02:27 PM

Date: Thurs., April 19, 2007
Time: 1:30 p.m. ET (30-minute presentation, 15-minute Q&A)


"On January 11, China conducted an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test against one of its old polar-orbiting weather satellites. The ASAT test produced a ring of debris of at least 1,337 pieces large enough to be tracked by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network, making it the largest debris-generating event in history. During this free online event, Dr. T.S. Kelso, senior research astrodynamicist with the Center for Space Standards & Innovation (CSSI), AGI's research and educational arm, will discuss the implications of the test on other satellites in Earth orbit, showing:
The evolution and distribution of the debris using AGI Viewer software;
The portions of Earth orbit affected by this event, including the increase in orbital conjunctions as reported in SOCRATES; and
Predictions of the orbital lifetimes of debris, much of which will remain in orbit for at least a century.
This webinar is an encore presentation of Kelso's recent briefing on the topic at the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. Visit www.agi.com/webinars today to register. While there, download recordings of past online events. As a thank you for joining us for the live event, you'll receive a gift once you submit your event feedback survey! Any questions? E-mail us at [e-mail]. "

Subject: RE: BS: Space Debris
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 02:43 PM

Damage is easy. Life and growth is not.



IT will take 6 centuries for the old growth trees to grow back after the clear cutting we have done this week.

Subject: RE: BS: Space Debris
From: Slag
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 04:19 PM

I share your concern. One of the most important and potentially rewarding endeavors of mankind is space exploration. Tiny bits of debris orbiting 15 to 20 times faster than a slug thrown by a high powered rifle could fatally injure spacecraft and personnel.

There needs to be a worldwide ban on weapons and weapon testing in space. Also multiple use vehicles and recoverable boosters greatly cut down on space debris.

Subject: RE: BS: Space Debris
From: beardedbruce
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 04:29 PM

"There needs to be a worldwide ban on weapons and weapon testing in space."


There IS.

When I was working SDIO programs, we had to leave Earth orbit just to test SENSORS.

Subject: RE: BS: Space Debris
From: beardedbruce
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 05:07 PM

http://www.armscontrol.org/pdf/outer%20space%20treaty%20at%20a%20glance.pdf

Subject: RE: BS: Space Debris
From: Grab
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 06:50 PM

There is. But Russia and the US have already violated it. The concern here is not so much that China did this, but that they didn't move the satellite to some lower orbit first, where the bits would get more air resistance and drop out quicker.

Graham.