Iridium 33
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 A mockup of an Iridium satellite |
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| Operator | Iridium Satellite LLC |
|---|---|
| Bus | LM-700A |
| Mission type | Communication |
| Launch date | 14 September 1997 |
| Carrier rocket | Proton-K/DM-2 |
| Launch site | Baikonur Site 81/23 |
| COSPAR ID | 1997-051C |
Iridium 33 was a U.S. Iridium communications satellite. It was launched into low Earth orbit from Site 81/23 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 01:36 GMT on 14 September 1997, by a Proton-K carrier rocket with a Block DM2 upper stage.[1][2] It was operated in Plane 3 of the Iridium satellite constellation, with an ascending node of 230.9°.[1]
Destruction [edit]
Main article: 2009 satellite collision
On 10 February 2009, at 16:56 GMT, Kosmos 2251 (a retired Strela satellite) and Iridium 33 collided, resulting in the destruction of both spacecraft.[3] NASA reported that a large amount of space debris was produced by the collision.[4][5][6]
References [edit]
- ^ a b Wade, Mark. "Iridium". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Proton". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
- ^ Iannotta, Becky (2009-02-11). "U.S. Satellite Destroyed in Space Collision". Space.com. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
- ^ "2 orbiting satellites collide 500 miles up". Associated Press. 2009-02-11. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
- ^ "Google Earth KMZ file of the debris". John Burns. 2009-03-05. Retrieved 2010-11-25.
- ^ "U.S. Space debris environment and operational updates". NASA. 2011-02-07. Retrieved 201-08-25.
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Wikinews has news coverage of the 2009 satellite collision |
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