Russian Satellite Hit by Chinese Anti-Satellite Debris (Photos)

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Chinese Space Debris Hits Satellite

Credit: Courtesy of Analytical Graphics, Inc.

On Jan. 22, 2013, debris from a Chinese anti-satellite program test hit a Russian satellite. [Read the full story.]

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Russia's BLITS Satellite

Credit: IPIE, NASA

Russia's small Ball Lens In The Space (BLITS) retroreflector satellite is a 17-pound (7.5 kilograms) built for satellite laser ranging experiments. It launched in 2009 and was expected to last five years in space before it was struck by Chinese space junk on Jan. 22, 2013. [Read the full story.]

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Russian Satellite Hit by Chinese Space Debris

Credit: Courtesy of Analytical Graphics, Inc.

On Jan. 22, 2013, debris from a Chinese anti-satellite program test hit a Russian satellite. [Read the full story.]

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China's 2007 Anti-Satellite Target: Fengyun-1C

Credit: Federation of American Scientists.

On Jan. 11, 2007, China destroyed one of its own – an aging Fengyun-1C weather satellite – via an anti-satellite test. The debris cloud from the test has posed a risk to spacecraft and satellites in orbit ever since. [Read the full story.]

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China Anti-Satellite Debris Paths

Credit: NASA Orbital Debris Program Office

Known orbit planes of Fengyun-1C debris one month after its 2007 disintegration by a Chinese anti-satellite (ASAT) interceptor. The white orbit represents the International Space Station. [Read the full story.]

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New Chinese Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Test?

Credit: Gregory Kulacki/AGI

In January 2013, China hinted at plans for a new anti-satellite (ASAT) test could showcase an ability to reach medium-Earth orbit. Doing so, some analysts say, would underscore that country’s ability to place the constellation of U.S. Global Positioning System navigational satellites at risk, but also a similar Chinese system. [Read the full story.]

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Space Debris Diagram

Credit: AGI

China's FENGYUN 1C polar-orbiting weather satellite was destroyed during the test of a Chinese anti-satellite weapon in 2007. Analytical Graphics created an animation from which this still was taken using data tracks of the debris in June 2007. [Read the full story.]

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Location of Chinese ASAT Test

Credit: AGI

China's FENGYUN 1C polar-orbiting weather satellite was destroyed during the test of a Chinese anti-satellite weapon in 2007. Analytical Graphics created an animation from which this still was taken using data tracks of the debris in June 2007. [Read the full story.]

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Location of Objects Within Debris Cloud

Credit: AGI

China's FENGYUN 1C polar-orbiting weather satellite was destroyed during the test of a Chinese anti-satellite weapon in 2007. Analytical Graphics created an animation from which this still was taken using data tracks of the debris in June 2007. [Read the full story.]

Russian Satellite Hit by Chinese ASAT Test Debris (Photos)

Chinese Space Debris Hits Satellite

Russia's BLITS Satellite

Russian Satellite Hit by Chinese Space Debris

China's 2007 Anti-Satellite Target: Fengyun-1C

China Anti-Satellite Debris Paths

New Chinese Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Test?

Space Debris Diagram

Location of Chinese ASAT Test

Location of Objects Within Debris Cloud

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