两颗已解除任务的卫星正以合计 5 万 3,000 公里的时速高速朝彼此接近,专家担心两者迎面撞上,产生数以千计的太空碎片。
根据太空碎片追踪公司 LeoLabs,一颗国际太空望远镜及一颗实验性的美国卫星正在相反轨道上行进,格林威治时间 23:39(台湾时间 30 日上午 7 时 39 分)是它们最接近的时刻。
两颗卫星在美国匹兹堡上空约 900 公里处相遇,可能擦身而过。
大型卫星以极高速相撞的情况相当罕见,若是撞上,不只非常危险,且会产生大量碎片云,危及世界各地的太空船。
卫星第一次发生相撞是在 2009 年,一颗现役的通讯卫星“铱 33 号”(Iridium 33)撞上俄罗斯卫星“宇宙(Cosmos)2251”。
Thankfully our latest data following the event shows no evidence of new debris. To be sure, we will perform a further assessment upon the next pass of both objects over Kiwi Space Radar occurring later tonight.
— LeoLabs, Inc. (@LeoLabs_Space) January 30, 2020
We are pleased to report that in the first several radar passes of the two objects after the close approach, we see no evidence of new debris. This event has served to highlight the collision risks caused by derelict satellites in LEO.
— LeoLabs, Inc. (@LeoLabs_Space) January 30, 2020
(译者:郑诗韵;首图来源:LeoLabs)
延伸阅读:
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