A Russian rocket used to launch a scientific satellite into space has broken apart after nine years in orbit - leaving a dozens of pieces of debris around the Earth.
The Fregat-SB is a type of space tug and its upper stage was left floating after it helped deliver the Spektr-R satellite in 2011, according to Roscosmos.
Spektr-R was a radio telescope launched by the Russian space agency but it stopped responding to ground control last year and was declared dead in May 2019.
Roscosmos confirmed the breakdown of the rocket happened on May 8 between 06:00 and 07:00 BST somewhere above the Indian ocean.
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About two-thirds of the satellites orbiting the Earth are dead - about 3,000 of about 4,500 objects - and pose a 'very big danger' to the planet - this also includes parts of the Russian rocket that disintegrated (artist's impression)
The Russian space agency is studying data to find out how many parts it broke up into and where they are currently orbiting the planet.
The US18 Space Control Squadron that tracks all objects in Earth's orbit say there are at least 65 pieces from the rocket in orbit.
US18 wrote on Twitter: 'Confirmed that the breakup of FREGAT DEB occurred on May 8, 2020, 유로247주소 between 0402 and 0551 UTC. Tracking 65 associated pieces - no indication caused by collision.'
Space debris is becoming a big problem for agencies and gets worse every time something new is launched into orbit as there is always something left behind.
In this case it was the upper stage of the rocket used to launch a space telescope.
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Parts of launch vehicles are a major contributor to the space clutter problem, with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics say they contribute to space debris when they don't have enough power to de-orbit themselves.
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Russian rocket disintegrates in Earth's orbit leaving behind 65 pieces
por Fredrick Arispe (2020-05-12)
A Russian rocket used to launch a scientific satellite into space has broken apart after nine years in orbit - leaving a dozens of pieces of debris around the Earth.The Fregat-SB is a type of space tug and its upper stage was left floating after it helped deliver the Spektr-R satellite in 2011, according to Roscosmos.
Spektr-R was a radio telescope launched by the Russian space agency but it stopped responding to ground control last year and was declared dead in May 2019.
Roscosmos confirmed the breakdown of the rocket happened on May 8 between 06:00 and 07:00 BST somewhere above the Indian ocean.
Scroll down for video
About two-thirds of the satellites orbiting the Earth are dead - about 3,000 of about 4,500 objects - and pose a 'very big danger' to the planet - this also includes parts of the Russian rocket that disintegrated (artist's impression)
The Russian space agency is studying data to find out how many parts it broke up into and where they are currently orbiting the planet.
The US18 Space Control Squadron that tracks all objects in Earth's orbit say there are at least 65 pieces from the rocket in orbit.
US18 wrote on Twitter: 'Confirmed that the breakup of FREGAT DEB occurred on May 8, 2020, 유로247주소 between 0402 and 0551 UTC. Tracking 65 associated pieces - no indication caused by collision.'
Space debris is becoming a big problem for agencies and gets worse every time something new is launched into orbit as there is always something left behind.
In this case it was the upper stage of the rocket used to launch a space telescope.
RELATED ARTICLES
Previous
1
Next
Planet Nine is a MIRAGE according to experts who say it is a... Giant asteroid up to 2.5 miles wide and classed as... Elon Musk says his company SpaceX is 'fixing' the brightness... Hiding in plain sight: Scientists discover 19 interstellar...
Share this article
Share
Parts of launch vehicles are a major contributor to the space clutter problem, with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics say they contribute to space debris when they don't have enough power to de-orbit themselves.