兩顆已解除任務的衛星正以合計 5 萬 3,000 公里的時速高速朝彼此接近,專家擔心兩者迎面撞上,產生數以千計的太空碎片。
根據太空碎片追蹤公司 LeoLabs,一顆國際太空望遠鏡及一顆實驗性的美國衛星正在相反軌道上行進,格林威治時間 23:39(台灣時間 30 日上午 7 時 39 分)是它們最接近的時刻。
兩顆衛星在美國匹茲堡上空約 900 公里處相遇,可能擦身而過。
大型衛星以極高速相撞的情況相當罕見,若是撞上,不只非常危險,且會產生大量碎片雲,危及世界各地的太空船。
衛星第一次發生相撞是在 2009 年,一顆現役的通訊衛星「銥 33 號」(Iridium 33)撞上俄羅斯衛星「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
(譯者:鄭詩韻;首圖來源:LeoLabs)