IRAS satellite potential collision (29Jan2020)

[2hats]

The, now retired, IR astronomical observatory satellite IRAS is at serious risk of collision this evening with another satellite. It and the satellite GGSE 4 (aka POPPY 5B, a defunct ELINT spy satellite) are expected to pass within 10-90 metres of each other at 23:39:35UTC today over the NE US. GGSE 4 has three 18 metre long booms on it...

 

[2hats]

Two passes over the UK in the early hours of Thursday morning following the potential event, though it might well be cloudy (sky views from south central UK). If there is debris, then the second pass viewed through binoculars from a dark sky location might be interesting.

 

[DexterTCN]

This happened in the movie Gravity.

I'm downloading the entire internet just in case.

 

[StoneRoad]

Any one taking bets as to the outcome ?

There is far too much junk floating around up there, and a collision is only going to generate even more "loose" bits - plus many tiny fragments - to become an increased hazard to navigation.

 

[2hats]

Impact likelihood now up to 1 in 20 with a 12 metre miss distance (note the 18 metre booms).

e2a: If they collide, about 900km up they should be in sunlight, so could be interesting in a pair of binoculars for anyone in the NE US.

 

[2hats]

Latest radar update revises to 47 metre miss distance. Still a bit close for comfort.

 

[2hats]

Event time has just passed. Initial visual observations report no flash so it looks like IRAS may have escaped.

 

[two sheds]

phew

 

[Limejuice]

Good.



The last thing Earth needs is a load more trash whizzing around in orbit.

 

[2hats]

Radar observations overnight appear to confirm no debris seen and no collision.

 

[StoneRoad]

bbc report

Two satellites in close shave over US city of Pittsburgh

Experts said a collision would have created a debris field, risking damage to other satellites.

www.bbc.co.uk

The human race really needs to sort out the amount of rubbish sailing around the earth, and as soon as possible.

 

[existentialist]

bbc report

Two satellites in close shave over US city of Pittsburgh

Experts said a collision would have created a debris field, risking damage to other satellites.

www.bbc.co.uk

The human race really needs to sort out the amount of rubbish sailing around the earth, and as soon as possible.

Before or after we sort out the amount of rubbish sailing around in the oceans? (facetious question, I do appreciate that)

 

[StoneRoad]

Before or after we sort out the amount of rubbish sailing around in the oceans? (facetious question, I do appreciate that)

After the required technology and preventative behaviours have been developed for both scenarios - so I think the oceans (& land) solutions will get found and enacted first. They are probably the more pressing, I agree, but less "sexy" than "space".

 

[two sheds]

Yep it was only Pittsburgh.

 

[8ball]

How's it going with that space hoover thing they're developing.
Gonna need it sooner or later...

 

[spitfire]

How's it going with that space hoover thing they're developing.
Gonna need it sooner or later...

Already up there mate.