1. Analysis of the Iridium 33-Cosmos 2251 Collision
T.S. Kelso

2. Overview Introduction Anatomy of a Collision Tracking a Collision
Impact on the Space Environment
Conclusions

3. Introduction What: Collision of Iridium 33 & Cosmos 2251
When: 2009 Feb 1656 UTC
Where: N, E, 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)

4. Anatomy of a Collision

14. Kevin Fetter Video: Iridium 33 & 28

15. Tracking a Collision

16. SOCRATES Min Range

17. SOCRATES Rank (All)

18. SOCRATES Rank (Top 200)

19. Impact on the Space Environment

20. 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

21. Lifetime Analysis: Iridium 33

22. Lifetime Analysis: Cosmos 2251

23. Lifetime Analysis: Iridium 33

24. Lifetime Analysis: Cosmos 2251

26. 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

27. Questions?