U.S. details China satellite debris

[Zorro]

Source: Reuters

A larger than previously reported debris field from China's antisatellite test in January has boosted risks to spacecraft in a wide range of orbits, the U.S. Air Force Space Command said on Tuesday.

"The Chinese ASAT test has certainly increased the collision risk to all of the roughly 700 active spacecraft with (orbital low ends) below approximately 4,000 kms," the command said in reply to queries from Reuters.

Such "low-Earth" orbits are home to satellites used for communications, scientific and environmental monitoring and weather predicting, as well as the International Space Station.

The biggest U.S. satellite manufacturers are Lockheed Martin Corp., Boeing Co. and Northrup Grumman Corp.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070411/sc_nm/space_usa_china_dc_2

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Although not specifically mentioned, this debris field may also have the potential to threaten the Space Shuttle.

[soothsayer]

1. nasa needs to invent a space sweeper to get all our trash out of orbit.

[Wilms]

2. If only to fly in front of manned or highly prized (Hubble) satellites

There's a LOT of stuff out there.

[Canuckistanian]

3. Considering that a paint chip almost did in one shuttle mission

This is serious news.