Kosmos 1408
| Mission type | ELINT |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 1982-092A |
| SATCAT no. | 13552 |
| Mission duration | 6 months (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Kosmos 1408 |
| Spacecraft type | ELINT |
| Bus | Tselina-D |
| Launch mass | 2,200 kg (4,900 lb) |
| Power | watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 16 September 1982 |
| Rocket | Tsyklon-3 |
| Launch site | Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 32/2 |
| End of mission | |
| Destroyed | 15 November 2021 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit[1] |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 645 km (401 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 679 km (422 mi) |
| Inclination | 82.50° |
| Period | 97.80 minutes |
Kosmos Series | |
Kosmos 1408 (Russian: Космос-1408) was an electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) satellite operated by the Soviet Union. It was launched into low Earth orbit on 16 September 1982, replacing Kosmos 1378. On 15 November 2021, it was destroyed in a Russian anti-satellite weapon test, resulting in space debris in orbits between 300 and 1,100 km (190 and 680 miles) above the Earth. The threat of potential collision with debris forced the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) to take shelter in their escape capsules.
Purpose and launch[edit]
The satellite was part of the Tselina-D system of ELINT military surveillance satellites.[2][3] It was developed by Yuzhnoye/OKB-586, and had a mass of around 2,200 kg (4,900 lb),[4] with an expected lifespan of around six months.[5] It replaced Kosmos 1378 in the Tselina system.[4]
Kosmos 1408 was launched on a Tsyklon-3 launch vehicle on 16 September 1982,[5] from Site 32/2[6] at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.[4] It was placed in low Earth orbit, with a perigee of 645 km (401 mi), an apogee of 679 km (422 mi), and an inclination of 82.5°. Its orbital period was 97.8 minutes.[1]
Destruction[edit]
On 15 November 2021, the satellite was destroyed, generating a space debris cloud that threatened the International Space Station.[2] The seven crew members aboard the ISS (four American, two Russian, one German)[7] took shelter in the crew capsules[8] so they could quickly return to Earth if debris struck the station.[9] The satellite had been in an orbit at an altitude just above the ISS orbital altitude,[3] and the debris passes by the ISS every 93 minutes.[10] The crew sheltered for only the second and third passes through the debris field, due to an assessment of the debris risk.[11] The debris also poses a risk to other low Earth orbit satellites.[9]
The United States Department of State subsequently accused Russia of having targeted Kosmos 1408 during an anti-satellite weapon test, using a ground-based missile against their own defunct satellite,[10] saying that it was "dangerous and irresponsible".[7] The following day, Sergei Shoigu, the Russian minister of defence, acknowledged that the debris was due to a Russian missile test, but argued that it posed no threat to any space activities.[7]
The A-235 missile ("Nudol")[6] was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome.[9] The system has been undergoing testing since 2014, but this was the first satellite it had destroyed.[6] The Outer Space Treaty, which Russia has ratified, bans some types of military activities in space, but not anti-satellite missiles using conventional warheads.[12]
The US spokesperson, Ned Price, said the event generated about 1500 pieces of debris that can be tracked by ground-based radars,[10][13] and hundreds of thousands more that are more difficult to track.[9] The debris is expected to continue in orbit for several years, potentially decades.[14] As of 16 November 2021[update], the debris was orbiting at altitudes between 440 to 520 km (270 to 320 miles);[9] by 17 November this range increased to 300 to 1,100 km (190 to 680 miles).[15]
NASA administrator Bill Nelson stated that, "With its long and storied history in human spaceflight, it is unthinkable that Russia would endanger not only the American and international partner astronauts on the ISS, but also their own cosmonauts" with two Russian cosmonauts on the ISS out of seven astronaut personnel, and the "actions are reckless and dangerous, threatening as well the Chinese space station."[16]
See also[edit]
- 1985 ASM-135 ASAT test – 1985 United States anti-satellite missile test
- 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test
- Gravity – 2013 movie in which a Russian satellite shoot-down creates a catastrophic Kessler syndrome-inciting debris swarm
- Kessler syndrome – runaway debris cascade making low Earth orbit inaccessible for centuries
- Mission Shakti – 2019 Indian anti-satellite missile test
- Operation Burnt Frost – 2008 United States anti-satellite missile test
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Trajectory: Kosmos-1408 1982-092A". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b "Astronauts Forced to Take Shelter as Debris Cloud Threatens Space Station". Gizmodo. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ a b Trevithick, Joseph. "Russian Anti-Satellite Test Produces Dangerous Debris Cloud In Orbit: Reports (Updated)". The Drive. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Display: Kosmos-1408 1982-092A". NASA. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b "Tselina-D (11F619, Ikar)". Gunter's Space Page. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Graham, William (15 November 2021). "Russia tests anti-satellite missile, debris disrupts International Space Station". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Russian Anti-Satellite Missile Test Poses No Threat – Moscow". BBC News. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Gohd, Chelsea (15 November 2021). "Did Russia just launch an anti-satellite test that created a cloud of space junk?". Space.com. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Russian Anti-Satellite Test Adds to Worsening Problem of Space Debris". BBC News. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Grush, Loren (15 November 2021). "Russia blows up a satellite, creating a dangerous debris cloud in space". The Verge. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ Potter, Sean (15 November 2021). "NASA Administrator Statement on Russian ASAT Test". NASA. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Outer Space Treaty". United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "US accuses Russia of "dangerous" behavior after anti-satellite weapons test". The Guardian. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ "Russian direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test creates significant, long-lasting space debris". United States Space Command. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Berger, Eric (17 November 2021). "New images and analyses reveal extent of Cosmos 1408 debris cloud". Ars Technica.
- ^ Weitering, Hanneke (16 November 2021). "NASA chief Bill Nelson condemns Russian anti-satellite test". Space.com. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the