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TOPIC: UK-DMC-1 satellite

Blobrana

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Posts: 131433

Date: Nov 10 13:16 2010

UK-DMC-1 satellite	Permalink

SSTL satellite steps aside to reduce space junk Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has successfully repositioned the UK-DMC-1 spacecraft, which is reaching the end of its operational life, using unspent propellant to reduce the orbital lifetime and the probability of generating space debris. Since the first satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched in 1957, thousands of satellites, launch vehicles and probes have been sent into space. In fact, it is estimated that there are more than half a million pieces of debris larger than a centimetre currently orbiting the Earth and the problem can only grow as existing satellites age and more are launched. NASA has replaced windows on the space shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS) has been repositioned after a near-miss event. Even the smallest object, such as a bolt or a speck of paint can cause critical damage to a spacecraft when travelling at speeds of up to 25,000 mph and the practice of predicting potential collisions and manoeuvring to avoid them is increasing within the satellite community. Read more __________________

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