Analysis of the Iridium 33-Cosmos 2251 Collision T.S. Kelso
Overview Introduction Anatomy of a Collision Tracking a Collision Impact on the Space Environment Conclusions
Introduction What: Collision of Iridium 33 & Cosmos 2251 When: 2009 Feb 10 @ 1656 UTC Where: 72.505 N, 97.873 E, 788.6 km altitude Northern Siberia Results (as of 2009 Aug 25): 419 pieces of Iridium 33 debris (16 decayed) 998 pieces of Cosmos 2251 debris (33 decayed)
Anatomy of a Collision
Kevin Fetter Video: Iridium 33 & 28
Tracking a Collision
SOCRATES Min Range
SOCRATES Rank (All)
SOCRATES Rank (Top 200)
Impact on the Space Environment
Debris Characteristics Satellite Number of Pieces Total Volume (m3) Dry Mass (kg) Inclination (deg) Iridium 33 419 3.388 556 86 Cosmos 2251 998 7.841 900 74
Lifetime Analysis: Iridium 33
Lifetime Analysis: Cosmos 2251
Lifetime Analysis: Iridium 33
Lifetime Analysis: Cosmos 2251
Conclusions Collision has significant long-term adverse effects International community must continue to work to mitigate debris generation Can mitigate risk by collaboratively sharing SSA SOCRATES-GEO: 11 operators, 150 satellites SOCRATES-LEO: 6 operators, 106 satellites Need best available SSA from SSN Need full examination of this event to help chart the way ahead
Questions?