February 12, 2009

US and Russian Satellites collide in Space

by anoop

For the first time in the history of mankind (at least what is publicly known to us), it has been confirmed that a United States satellite and a Russian Satellite has collided approximately 485 miles over Siberia on Tuesday. The US satellite is owned by Iridium, a Satellite phone service provider. The Russian satellite is said to be no more in use. The crash generated a huge cloud of debris and will take weeks for the dust to settle down. Several space agencies are tracking the remains of the crash and are hoping that most of it will burn in the Earth’s atmosphere.

The Earth’s orbit is already full of satellites, working and non-working. Looks like apart from our land, water and air, we have one more to clean up – the Outer Space!
[i4u]