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> Simulation of an explosion in geostationary orbit

Simulation of an explosion in geostationary orbit

author: Esa/Novapix

reference: e-sat99-00112

Image Size 300 DPI: 29 * 42 cm

What happens after an explosion in space? A geostationary satellite has a velocity of about 3 kms/second (10 000 kms/hour). The fragments are ejected with a much lower velocity and thus stay close to the initial orbit. However, some will travel a bit faster and others a bit slower. Within a few days the debris cloud will form a diffuse ring at 36 000 km altitude around the Earth. Bottom, seen two days after the explosion.

Keywords for this photo:

2008 - ARTIFICIAL SATELLITE - EARTH - EARTH FROM SPACE - GEOSTATIONARY - ILLUSTRATION - ORBIT - POLLUTION - SIMULATION - SPACE - SPACE DEBRIS -