Two defunct satellites narrowly avoid collision in low Earth orbit
Posted: Sat, Feb 1, 2020, 8:27 AM ET (1327 GMT)
Two satellites made a close pass to each other but did not collide Wednesday evening. The IRAS astronomy satellite passed close to the GGSE-4 satellite at 6:39 pm EST (2339 GMT) about 900 kilometers above Pittsburgh, but observations after the close approach confirmed the satellites did not collide. Predictions earlier in the day at one point estimated a 1-in-20 chance of a collision between the two defunct, non-maneuverable satellites. The close approach highlighted the concerns about orbital debris.
Two satellites made a close pass to each other but did not collide Wednesday evening. The IRAS astronomy satellite passed close to the GGSE-4 satellite at 6:39 pm EST (2339 GMT) about 900 kilometers above Pittsburgh, but observations after the close approach confirmed the satellites did not collide. Predictions earlier in the day at one point estimated a 1-in-20 chance of a collision between the two defunct, non-maneuverable satellites. The close approach highlighted the concerns about orbital debris.
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