Tag: Orbital mechanics
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The ISS’s Brush With Space Debris: A Wake-Up Call for the Future of Orbital Safety
The recent incident involving the International Space Station (ISS) serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers in our increasingly crowded low-Earth orbit. Astronauts had to seek shelter in available spacecraft, including the Starliner and Soyuz modules, following a satellite breakup that created a new debris field. Such events underscore the growing threat of…
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NASA and SpaceX’s $843 Million Deorbit Plan: A New Dawn or A Waste of Resources?
The recent announcement by NASA to commission SpaceX for developing a Deorbit Vehicle specifically for the International Space Station (ISS) has sparked a wave of discussions. This contract, valued at a staggering $843 million, raises questions about the capability and design of such a vehicle. What kind of innovations and engineering marvels can we expect…
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The Kessler Syndrome: A Threat to Orbit and Beyond
The concept of the Kessler Syndrome, although explored frequently, continues to be misunderstood by the broader public. This phenomenon refers to a potentially catastrophic collisional cascade of space debris in low-Earth orbit (LEO) that could render parts of space unusable. Interestingly, several users on forums like Hacker News express that media coverage on this topic…