The chances of THAT happening...

Colin1 said:

BBC NEWS | Science Environment | Russian and US satellites collide

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timshatz said:

Gotta believe it was a sideswipe. Bound to happen sooner or later. Statistically, it was only a matter of time.

The chance of a satellite being hit at any one time is insignificant. That chance of any satellite hitting any other satellite over the course of human existance is 100%.

So, it just happened.

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Bill G. said:

I have read this story in several places. The Russian satellite is described as being out of control. That can cause the orbit to be a bit erratic.

Unless it had thrust - it would be entirely ballistic and it's orbit entirely predictible

What I wonder is why we didn't see this coming at the old NORAD.

If in fact, the Sovs lost control over the satellite two years after they launched it - it would be in the data base but not necessarily 'tracked'

From what I can find this wasn't a head on collision, or a T-Bone, but more of a "side swipe". This will still cause a rain of space junk to settle through lower orbits until it can enter the atmosphere and burn up.

Bill G.

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Venganza said:

Probably so. I didn't mean to come off sounding like a conspiracy nut. Still, it does make you wonder a bit...

Venganza

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