Science
More Space Junk
As if the Chinese ASAT test last month wasn't enough, word comes today from SpaceWeather.com that Australia was treated to a spectacular display last night - of a very bright explosion and a resulting cloud of debris which was visible for almost an hour. The explosion was a "major breakup event" of an old Russian Briz-M rocket booster travelling in the wrong orbit since last year after it failed to launch of a communications satellite. When more is known on the amount of debris and orbit we'll post an update.Update 3/27/07: In a somewhat related event, a Lan Chile A340 flying to Aukland, NZ narrowly escaped being destroyed by the apparent early de-orbiting of a Russian satellite with debris raining down within five miles of the flight.
According to a plane spotter, who was tuning into a high frequency radio broadcast at the time, the pilot "reported that the rumbling noise from the space debris could be heard over the noise of the aircraft. "He described he saw a piece of debris lighting up as it re-entered (the earth's atmosphere). He was one very worried pilot, as you would imagine."
Airways New Zealand had been warned by Russian authorities almost two weeks ago that a satellite would be entering the earth's atmosphere sometime today between 10.30am and midday NZ time (6.30-8am WA time). Airways New Zealand then provided that information to airlines and pilots that would be travelling in that region at that time. They could then decide for themselves whether they wished to fly during that period. "But clearly there has been a timing issue," the spokesman said. Source: thewest.com.au
