William Atkins
Saturday, 28 February 2009 21:35
Science -
Space
Page 3 of 4
Currently, experts of the mechanics of such orbits are researching the composition and dynamics of these two
“clumpy rings” in order to estimate better when and where these fragments will begin to move down to lower orbits (altitudes in space).
They will eventually do this as forces of nature (gravity, friction) cause them to reduce their speeds, which results in them decreasing their height above the Earth--going into lower orbits. Eventually, they will descend into the Earth’s atmosphere where they will (probably) burn up or, if big enough, survive to crash onto the surface of Earth.
Based on the three-dimensional maps that Deak compiled, the Cosmos debris has been scattered more widely than the pieces from Iridium.
Deak states,
"Kosmos [Cosmos]
fragments range in altitude from 250 km to 1690 km," while
"Iridium fragments range only from 525 km to 1092 km."
Based on his research the pieces left over from Cosmos have drifted down to the orbit of the International Space Station—which is in an approximate 350-kilometer orbit.
However, Deak adds that the ISS is not in much danger for the debris because most of the pieces are over the Antarctic, in a section of space where the Space Station does not orbit.
Page four talks about how Google Earth and an Orbiting Frog will help you track these two debris fields in real-time.
