A China it has been criticized for producing low-orbit space junk… yet again. On November 12, the rocket Long March 6A deployed an ocean observation satellite (Yunhai 3) when, unexpectedly, it was faced with a critical failure that disintegrated it into over 50 fragments. According to information from the US Space Force, the tracks were scattered at an altitude of up to 700 km.
Long March 6A was deploying an ocean observation satellite when, unexpectedly, it was faced with a critical failure that disintegrated it.
According to a news item published by the South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong daily published by the SCMP Group, a Chinese government spokesman commented that it would be difficult for space debris to disrupt Tiangong and the International Space Station (ISS / International Space Station), because the stations are located at a lower altitude. The situation worries those responsible for the satellites of the Stellar connectionas some fragments are close to the equipment.
The cause of the failure of the Long March 6 rocket is unclear
This model is considered one of the most reliable used by the Chinese. Suspicions point to the possibility of an unidentified flaw, namely that it was hit by pieces of space debris during the satellite’s deployment. Some individuals have spread rumors on the Internet, claiming that the explosion was deliberate, so that Starlink’s satellite network would not work on Chinese territory.
Some people spread rumors, claiming that the explosion was deliberate, so Starlink’s satellite network would not work on Chinese territory.
In any case, a Chinese scientist has commented on the accusation, explaining that the action would be unlikely, because the debris could damage the country’s space equipment. The expert concluded:I don’t think anyone would be willing to increase their risk, no matter how small.”.
As for the pieces of Long March 6A, there are some with a few millimeters – and some larger ones, with several meters. Among the dangers of the situation, the possibility of colliding with other satellites, or even endangering the astronauts who are on a space mission, stands out.
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