Analysis of the Iridium 33-Cosmos 2251 Collision
T.S. Kelso
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Overview
• Introduction• Anatomy of a Collision• Tracking a Collision• Impact on the Space Environment• Conclusions
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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 5):– 386 pieces of Iridium 33 debris (16 decayed)– 927 pieces of Cosmos 2251 debris (30 decayed)
Anatomy of a Collision
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Relative Velocities
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Kevin Fetter Video: Iridium 33 & 28
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Gabbard Plot: Iridium 33
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Gabbard Plot: Cosmos 2251
Tracking a Collision
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SOCRATES Min Range
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SOCRATES Rank (All)
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SOCRATES Rank (Top 200)
Impact on the Space Environment
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Debris Characteristics
Satellite Number
ofPieces
Total Volume(m3)
Dry Mass(kg)
Inclination(deg)
Iridium 33 386 3.388 556 86
Cosmos 2251 927 7.841 900 74
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Lifetime Analysis: Iridium 33
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Lifetime Analysis: Cosmos 2251
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Lifetime Analysis: Iridium 33
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Lifetime Analysis: Cosmos 2251
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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?
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