Interesting, although worrying, to read that an old Russian military satellite has collided with an operational Iridium satellite, completely destroying both satellites. The accident has generated a large cloud of debris, but since the crash happened in low earth orbit (LEO) the debris will, over time fall to earth and burn up. There must be some ongoing risk, however, of possible damage to Iridium, and other, satellites as the cloud of debris spreads out. Fortunately the accident did not happen in the geostationary orbit (GEO), where the risk of a spreading cloud of debris could be potentially much more damaging (since objects in GEO do not fall to earth and burn up, as the orbit is much too high).
I'll be watching the repercussions of this event with interest!
News clipping: BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Russian and US satellites collide.
US and Russian communications satellites have collided in space in the first such reported accident. A satellite owned by the US company Iridium hit a defunct Russian satellite at high speed nearly 780km (485 miles) over Siberia on Tuesday, Nasa said. The risk to the International Space Station and a shuttle launch planned for later this month is said to be low.
It's very unfortunate that an excellent organisation like TSF is finding its activities blocked in Burma. I'm sure that these committed people could have made a real difference.
News clipping: Turned Away, But Not Forgotten - Telecoms Sans Frontieres Leaves Myanmar : Satnews Publishers.
This is a most frustrating situation for all countries and agencies wishing to assist with the tragic aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. The latest word comes from Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF), which after 15 days in Myanmar (Burma) decided it was best to leave the country. TSF's requests for authorizations to deploy to the Irrawaddy Delta were not granted, and as the organization was blocked in Yangon, TSF's teams returned to their bases.
Interesting to see the management shake-up at RSCC continuing. The new team faces some challenges, with a poor reliability record for Russian satellites in recent times.
News clipping: Satellite Today :: RSCC Appoints New Deputy Director General.
[Satellite Today - 6-23-08] The Russian Satellite Communications Co. (RSCC) has appointed Ksenia Drozdova deputy director general, the operator said June 23. Drozdova has been with the company since 1998, worked initially in the corporate financing department. Since 2000 she has served as deputy director of business development.
The Jason-2 satellite will become the primary means of measuring the shape of the world's oceans, taking readings with an accuracy of better than 4cm. Its data will track not only sea level rise but reveal how the great mass of waters are moving around the globe. This information will be fundamental in helping weather and climate agencies make better forecasts.
Thuraya has announced the commercial readiness of its third satellite, Thuraya-3. The satellite will cover the Asia-Pacific region. Thuraya-3 and all related ground network facilities started commercial activities on June 9th, 2008. This heralds a new phase in the Companyâs expansion and growth towards Asia.