7
$\begingroup$

This question has been developed from Why are objects in this highly elliptical orbit present in Vimpel but not USSpacecom which I realisd was two questions in one.

Here is the same graphic from AstriaGraph:

AstriaGraph screenshot Orange dots are active satellites, blue dots are in-active satellites and the purple and pink dots are rocket bodies and uncatagorised, respectively. Its hard to discern the difference between the latter two in colour.

For orientation the geostationary arc comprises the orange dots in a semi-edge-on circle stretching from about "08:30" to "02:30" as we look at the image as a clock face.

There is also a clear ellipse stretching from LEO at 03:00 to an apogee at MEO at about 09:45 and it is made up of a mixture of purple and mostly pink dots. There is another pink ellipse which is completely edge on, on the right hand side slightly above the GEO arc.

When I clicked on objects in these orbits most of them are reported as uncategorised though I did find one labeled as a rocket body part. They are all only in the Vimpel catalogue and not reported as having USSpacecom IDs. They are at about 25 degrees inclination and thus are not Molniya orbits. They are a bit short of GTO apogee height but could be debris from a high latitude launch to GTO, where the objects apogees have reduced because of LEO drag, but but the debris seems too well confined to a narrow band for objects that.

I'm surprised at the sheer number of objects.

Question: What was the event causing this?

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

6
$\begingroup$

Looking at the tool, I think I've isolated one of these tracks. I will include all figures below. Looking at Space Track, I was able to find 3 objects in similar orbits. They are centaur boosters. The primary payload for these include a geostationary communication satellite, a classified payload (USA 257), and another one I can't find, likely a super classified payload. Still, I suspect these all were placed in to a geostationary transfer orbit.

That being said, I believe the answer is that the last of these that launched USA 257, had a booster that blew up on August 30, 2018. Most likely they are just including debris from that launch that was not otherwise identified.

enter image description here

enter image description here

enter image description here

$\endgroup$
2
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Very interesting, Thank you for the presentation slides on the breakup! $\endgroup$
    – Manny
    Dec 2, 2020 at 19:42
  • $\begingroup$ @PearsonArtPhoto Thank you, this is a really helpful bit of insight. I've added a bit more to the other question as it seems to sit better there for the moment. It looks like your idea is a strong contender but doesn't fit the gabbard plot so well. $\endgroup$
    – Puffin
    Dec 3, 2020 at 23:17

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.