Satellite, Rocket Stage Nearly Collide in Possible ‘Worst-Case Scenario’
A potential ‘worst-case scenario’ when it comes to the potential for serious collisions in space almost came to pass recently. According to reports, the International Space Station had to take emergency action in order to avoid a collision with a rogue rocket stage.
Why Was the Evasive Action Necessary?
The International Space Station (ISS) was forced to take evasive action when a discarded rocket stage began to approach it far too closely. Tracking data reveals that there were as little as 24 meters between the rocket and the ISS, when the two objects passed each other.
How Was the ISS Protected?
The astronauts on board the ISS had to use the station’s thrusters as a precautionary measure in order to avoid a collision that would have been potentially cataclysmic. According to reports, these thrusters – used to move the ISS’s through space – had not been used for over two years.
The Aftermath of the Event
The incident is one of the most serious matters of safety concerning the ISS in recent years. NASA and other space agencies are now investigating the issue and considering the reasons why the rocket stage was not identified in good time.
Potential Causes of Close Encounters
The objects present in orbit continue to increase, and with them, the possibilities of close encounters or even crass. Possible causes for this include:
- Satellites – Currently there are thousands of satellites in orbit, and the proliferation of this device is only going to increase.
- Unexplained Objects – Space debris is also a major problem, and a considerable amount of these objects cannot be identified.
- Human Error – Tracking data obtained from the object in question indicates that, in this case, human error could have been a contributing factor.
The ISS and the astronauts on board were fortunate enough on this occasion, but the incident serves to emphasize the importance of safety in space.
Reports have recently surfaced that a rocket stage and a satellite nearly collided in what could have resulted in a potentially dangerous “worst-case scenario” situation.
According to the US Space Command, late on Wednesday night, a spent rocket stage and the Mega Star-1 satellite had a “near miss” as they passed within a mere 32.6 meters of each other.
The incident occurred in an area of space known to have “high concentrations of debris” which complicates the situation and puts satellite operators and space agencies at risk of losing valuable communication tools.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the fact that the European Space Agency (ESA) had apparently tracked down the rocket body in February 2020, when it was soaring at an altitude of 890 km, surrounded by a dangerously large amount of space debris.
In response to the near-miss, ESA deputy director general for operations, Rolf Densing, commented that “this is why space situational awareness is so important”.
He further added, “It’s important to detect, track, and identify objects in space. Making this information available so that it can be used in the decision-making processes of operators of spacecraft and rockets is a key part of ESA’s task when it comes to maintaining safety in space travel.”
Although the near-miss between the satellite and rocket stage was thought to be the closest in recent memory, it still follows in line with an increasingly alarming trend in regards to the amount of space debris that continues to accumulate in certain areas of space.
A preventative approach is necessary in order to mitigate the possibility of future incidents like this one potentially occurring. Hopefully, with improved space situational awareness systems and better regulation when it comes to responsible disposal of space debris, we can ensure that such close calls as this one can be minimized and ideally, avoided entirely.