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In case anyone doubts that low altitude #ASAT tests are a threat to higher orbiting satellites: here is a Gabbard Diagram I created for 173 larger debris fragments from Operation Burnt Frost, the US ASAT demo on USA 193 in 2008.
@SSC_NL @nktpnd @cosmos4u @brianweeden
In case anyone doubts that low altitude #ASAT tests are a threat to higher orbiting satellites: here is a Gabbard Diagram I created for 173 larger debris fragments from Operation Burnt Frost, the US ASAT demo on USA 193 in 2008.
@SSC_NL @nktpnd @cosmos4u @brianweeden
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The USA 193 intercept was at 247 km (compare 283 km for the Indian ASAT), yet a lot of the larger fragments ended up in eccentric orbits with apogee at much higher altitudes, well into the operational satellite range. 64% of the depicted sample had apogee above the ISS orbit.
The USA 193 intercept was at 247 km (compare 283 km for the Indian ASAT), yet a lot of the larger fragments ended up in eccentric orbits with apogee at much higher altitudes, well into the operational satellite range. 64% of the depicted sample had apogee above the ISS orbit.
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Because they all have a rather low perigee, lifetimes on orbit of these fragments are limited, but some held on for several months, and occasionally up to almost two years:
Because they all have a rather low perigee, lifetimes on orbit of these fragments are limited, but some held on for several months, and occasionally up to almost two years:
