List of space debris producing events

Last updated

Major contributors to space debris include the explosion of upper stages and satellite collisions. [1]

Contents

Overview

There were 190 known satellite breakups between 1961 and 2006. [2] By 2015, the total had grown to 250 on-orbit fragmentation events. [3]

As of 2012 there were an estimated 500,000 pieces of debris in orbit, [4] with 300,000 pieces below 2000 km (LEO). [1] Of the total, about 20,000 are tracked. [1] Also, about sixteen old Soviet nuclear space reactors are known to have released an estimated 100,000 NaK liquid metal coolant droplets 800–900 km up, [5] which range in size from 1 – 6 cm. [5]

The greatest risk to space missions is from untracked debris between 1 and 10 cm in size. [1] Large pieces can be tracked and avoided, and impact from smaller pieces are usually survivable. [1]

Top debris creation events

Top debris creation events, August 2024 [6]
ObjectYearPiecesNotes
Fengyun-1C 20073,549Intentional collision (ASAT)
Kosmos 2251 20091,716Accidental collision with Iridium 33
Kosmos 1408 20211,562Intentional collision (ASAT)
Long March 6A upper stage2024700–900+Unknown; but may be related to upper stage passivization or insulation. [7]
Long March 6A upper stage2022781 [8] Unknown; but may be related to upper stage passivization or insulation with later debris cloud expansion. [8] [9]
STEP 2 Rocket Body1996756Residual propellant explosion
Iridium 33 2009659Accidental collision with Kosmos 2251
Kosmos 2421 2008511Disintegrated[ citation needed ]
SPOT 1 Rocket Body1986506Residual propellant explosion
Parus 1981482Battery explosion
OV2-1 Rocket Body1965473Engine explosion
Nimbus 4 Rocket Body1970465Residual propellant explosion
NOAA-16 2015458Battery explosion
TES Rocket Body2001373Residual propellant explosion
CBERS-1 Rocket Body2000344Residual propellant explosion
Fregat tank2020338Residual propellant explosion
Ablestar 1961320Residual propellant explosion
Delta 2910 1975313Residual propellant explosion
Solwind 1985289Intentional collision (ASAT) [10]

Recent events

DateObjectInternational DesignationCauseTotal PiecesPieces in OrbitReentered Pieces as of Dec 2022 [lower-alpha 1]
August 31, 2018Centaur V upper stage [11] 2014-055BUnknown [11] 1071070
December 22, 2018ORBCOMM FM-16 [11] 1998-046EEnergetic fragmentation; Probably caused by left over propellent [12] 1358
January 24, 2019Microsat-R [12] 2019-006AASAT (Anti-Satellite) weapon system test [12] 1290129
February 6, 2019H2-A 202 Rocket Body [11] 2018-084LUnknown; Third known breakup of an H-2A Rocket Body [11] 606
February 6, 2019H2-A 202 Payload Adapter [11] 2018-084EEnergetic fragmentation event; Cause Unknown [11] 303
April 2019Centaur V Rocket Body [12] 2018-079BEnergetic fragmentation event; Cause Unknown [12] 1931921
May 7, 2019Titan IIIC Transtage rocket body [13] 1976-023FEnergetic fragmentation event by caused the overheating of leftover anhydrous hydrazine(N2H4) Mono Propellant [13] ? [lower-alpha 2] ??
August 19, 2019SOZ (Sistema Obespecheniya Zapuska) ullage motor from a Proton Block DM fourth stage [13] 2010-041HEnergetic fragmentation event; caused by left over fuel in the ullage motor. 30th fragmentation event of a SOZ unit. 34 intact units remain in orbit [13] 23230
August 13, 2019Ariane 42P third stage rocket body [13] 1992-052DUnknown [13] 10100
December 23, 2019 Kosmos 2491 2013-076EUnknown [14] [15] ~20~200
May 8, 2020 Fregat tank [16] 2011-037BUnknown, possibly explosion [16] 34628066
July 12, 2020H2-A 202 Fairing [16] 2018-084CCollision with untracked debris [16] 1235118
March 18, 2021Yunhai-1 02 [17] 2019-063AAccidental collision with a fragment from the Zenit-2 rocket body that launched Tselina-2 in 1996. [17] 392019
November 15, 2021 Kosmos 1408 1982-092AASAT (Anti-Satellite) weapon system test17873941393
November 12, 2022 Long March 6A upper stage2022-151BUnknown; but may be related to upper stage passivization or insulation. [18] [19] [20] 78172259
November 17, 2022H2-A 202 Payload fairing2012-025FEnergetic fragmentation event; Cause unknown [21] 50+50+0
January 4, 2023 Kosmos 2499 2014-028EUnknown [15] 85850
March 11, 2023 Orbcomm F361999-065EUnknown; likely energetic fragmentation event caused by a malfunction in the hydrazine orbit adjust system [22] [23] 770
August 21, 2023Vega VV02 VESPA adapter2013-021DUnknown; likely debris impact [24] [25] 770
March 26, 2024 Long March 6A upper stage2024-058BUnknown; but may be related to upper stage passivization or insulation. [26] ~60~600
June 26, 2024 Resurs-P No.1 2013-030AUnknown [27] [28] 100+100+0
July 4, 2024 Long March 6A upper stage2024-126CUnknown; but may be related to upper stage passivization or insulation. [26] ? [lower-alpha 3] ?0
August 6, 2024 Long March 6A upper stage2024-140UUnknown; but may be related to upper stage passivization or insulation. [7] 700–900+700–900+0
September 6, 2024 Atlas V Centaur upper stage2018-022BUnknown;40+40+0
  1. ↑ The date when all rows were updated.
  2. ↑ No fragments have entered the SSN catalog as 2022-09-22
  3. ↑ No fragments have entered the SSN catalog as 2024-08-08

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space debris</span> Pollution around Earth by defunct artificial objects

Space debris are defunct human-made objects in space – principally in Earth orbit – which no longer serve a useful function. These include derelict spacecraft, mission-related debris, and particularly-numerous in-Earth orbit, fragmentation debris from the breakup of derelict rocket bodies and spacecraft. In addition to derelict human-made objects left in orbit, space debris includes fragments from disintegration, erosion, or collisions; solidified liquids expelled from spacecraft; unburned particles from solid rocket motors; and even paint flecks. Space debris represents a risk to spacecraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kessler syndrome</span> Theoretical runaway satellite collision cascade that could render parts of Earth orbit unusable

The Kessler syndrome, proposed by NASA scientists Donald J. Kessler and Burton G. Cour-Palais in 1978, is a scenario in which the density of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) due to space pollution is numerous enough that collisions between objects could cause a cascade in which each collision generates space debris that increases the likelihood of further collisions. In 2009, Kessler wrote that modeling results had concluded that the debris environment was already unstable, "such that any attempt to achieve a growth-free small debris environment by eliminating sources of past debris will likely fail because fragments from future collisions will be generated faster than atmospheric drag will remove them". One implication is that the distribution of debris in orbit could render space activities and the use of satellites in specific orbital ranges difficult for many generations.

The Satellite Catalog Number (SATCAT), also known as NORAD Catalog Number, NORAD ID, USSPACECOM object number, is a sequential nine-digit number assigned by the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), and previously the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), in the order of launch or discovery to all artificial objects in the orbits of Earth and those that left Earth's orbit. For example, catalog number 1 is the Sputnik 1 launch vehicle, with the Sputnik 1 satellite having been assigned catalog number 2.

Orbcomm is a family of low Earth orbit communications satellites, operated by the United States satellite communications company Orbcomm. As of July 2014, 51 such satellites have orbited Earth, with 50 still continuing to do so.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 in spaceflight</span>

In 2015, the maiden spaceflights of the Chinese Long March 6 and Long March 11 launch vehicles took place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 in spaceflight</span>

Several new rockets and spaceports began operations in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 in spaceflight</span>

This article documents notable spaceflight events during the year 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 in spaceflight</span>

This article documents notable spaceflight events during the year 2018. For the first time since 1990, more than 100 orbital launches were performed globally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Resurs-P No.1</span> Former Russian Earth observation satellite

Resurs-P No.1 was a Russian commercial Earth observation satellite capable of acquiring high-resolution imagery. It is one of a series of Resurs-P spacecraft. The spacecraft was operated by Roscosmos as a replacement of the Resurs-DK No.1 satellite until it ceased operations in 2021. In 2024 the satellite broke up, releasing objects into low earth orbit which required the crew of the ISS to take shelter.

Kosmos 2499 was a Russian satellite orbiting the Earth, before breaking up on January 4, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 in spaceflight</span>

The year 2022 witnessed the number of launches of SpaceX's Falcon rocket family surpassing the CNSA's Long March rocket family, making the United States the country with the highest number of launches in 2022 instead of China. This year also featured the first successful launch of Long March 6A, Nuri, Angara 1.2, Vega C, Kinetica-1, and Jielong-3. National space agencies' activities in this year is also marred by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, leading to tension between Roscosmos and Western space agencies, threats of ending collaboration on the International Space Station (ISS), and delays on space missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 in spaceflight</span>

The year 2024 is expected to exceed 2023's 223 orbital launches. So far, the year saw the successful first launch of Vulcan Centaur, Gravity-1, Ariane 6, and notably more developmental launches of SpaceX's Starship – with IFT-3, IFT-4, IFT-5, and IFT-6 planned for this year. Additionally, the final launch of a Delta family rocket occurred in April with a Delta IV Heavy. In May, China launched the Chang'e 6, the first sample return from the far side of the Moon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 in spaceflight</span>

The year 2023 saw rapid growth and significant technical achievements in spaceflight. For the third year in a row, new world records were set for both orbital launch attempts (223) and successful orbital launches (211). The growth in orbital launch cadence can in large part be attributed to SpaceX, as they increased their number of launches from 61 in 2022 to 98 in 2023. The deployment of the Starlink satellite megaconstellation was a major contributing factor to this increase over previous years. This year also featured numerous maiden launches of new launch vehicles. In particular, SSLV, Qaem 100, Tianlong-2, Chollima-1,and Zhuque-2 performed their first successful orbital launch, while SpaceX's Starship – the world's largest rocket – launched two times during its development stage: IFT-1 and IFT-2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long March 6A</span> Launch vehicle

The Long March 6A or Chang Zheng 6A as in pinyin, abbreviated LM 6A for export or CZ 6A within China, is a Chinese medium-lift launch vehicle in the Long March family, which was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 The Threat of Orbital Debris and Protecting NASA Space Assets from Satellite Collisions (2009)
  2. ↑ "AN ANALYSIS OF RECENT MAJOR BREAKUPS IN THE LOW EARTH ORBIT REGION". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  3. ↑ "ESA Experts Assess Risk from Exploded Satellite". www.esa.int. ESA. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  4. ↑ "DARPA wants army of networked amateur astronomers to watch sky for space junk, aliens". Stratrisks. 2012-11-14. Archived from the original on 2012-11-19.
  5. 1 2 IEEE – The Growing Threat of Space Debris Archived 2013-01-27 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ McDowell, Jonathan (9 December 2022). "Space Debris Clouds". Jonathan's Space Pages. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  7. 1 2 Jones, Andrew (9 August 2024). "Chinese rocket stage breaks up into cloud of more than 700 pieces of space debris". SpaceNews . Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Evolution of Major Debris Clouds in Low Earth Orbit" (PDF). NASA . Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  9. ↑ Jones, Andrew (8 August 2024). "Chinese megaconstellation launch creates field of space debris". SpaceNews . Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  10. ↑ "The Most Dangerous Space Weapons Ever". Space.com. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (May 2019). "Orbital Debris Quarterly News" (PDF). Space News. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (August 2019). "Orbital Debris Quarterly News" (PDF). Space News. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (November 2019). "Orbital Debris Quarterly News" (PDF). Space News. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  14. ↑ @planet4589 (11 January 2020). "Unlike the two later sats, Kosmos-2491 did not change its orbit. It appeared to end its mission in 2014. However, at about 1321 UTC on 2019 Dec 23, the satellite made a 1.5m/s orbit change and 10 debris objects have now been cataloged" (Tweet). Retrieved 8 February 2023– via Twitter.
  15. 1 2 Berger, Eric (8 February 2023). "Mysterious Russian satellites are now breaking apart in low-Earth orbit". Ars Technica . Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 4 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (August 2020). "Orbital Debris Quarterly News" (PDF). NASA . Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  17. 1 2 Wall, Mike (17 August 2021). "Space collision: Chinese satellite got whacked by hunk of Russian rocket in March". Space.com . Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  18. ↑ Jones, Andrew (2024-07-12). "China's Long March 6A rocket appears to have an orbital debris problem". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  19. ↑ @S4S_SDA (7 August 2024). "#S4S has confirmed the breakup of a Chinese Long March 6A rocket launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China, on Aug. 7, 2024. Analysis ongoing. #spacedebris #SDA @SpaceTrackOrg @US_SpaceCom" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 August 2024– via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ↑ @18thSDS (12 November 2022). "18th Space Defense Squadron confirmed breakup associated with CZ-6A Rocket Body - likely occurred Nov 12 at around 05:25 UTC" (Tweet). Retrieved 13 November 2022– via Twitter.
  21. ↑ @18thSDS (23 November 2022). "18th Space Defense Squadron confirms breakup of H-2A DEB (#38345, 2012-025F)" (Tweet). Retrieved 10 December 2022– via Twitter.
  22. ↑ Orbital Focus [@OrbitalFocus] (17 March 2023). "From Space-Track: The 18th Space Defense Squadron (18 SDS) has confirmed the breakup of Orbcomm FM 36 (#25984, 1999-065E), which likely occurred March 11, 2023, at approximately 0145 UTC. As of March 16, 18 SDS is tracking 7 associated pieces at an estimated 792 km altitude..." (Tweet). Retrieved 21 March 2023– via Twitter.
  23. ↑ @planet4589 (17 March 2023). "The jump is a propulsive orbit adjust, which makes the likeliest cause some kind of bad event in the hydrazine orbit adjust system" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 March 2023– via Twitter.
  24. ↑ Jonathan McDowell [@planet4589] (22 August 2023). "7 new debris objects cataloged from the Vega VV02 launch in a 23:50 LTDN sun-sync orbit, consistent with a breakup of the VESPA adapter upper section, object 39162. Possibly the result of an impact by a small object?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ↑ "Objects detected in the vicinity of ClearSpace-1 debris removal mission target". ESA. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  26. 1 2 Jones, Andrew (12 July 2024). "China's Long March 6A rocket appears to have an orbital debris problem". SpaceNews . Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  27. ↑ "Press Release: Break-up of Russian-owned space object". United States Space Command (Press release). 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  28. ↑ Foust, Jeff (2024-06-27). "Russian satellite breaks up, creating debris in low Earth orbit". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
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