Chinese rocket's breakup puts over 1,000 satellites and other objects at risk

10/8/2024 12:00

        A Chinese rocket stage that broke apart in space this week created more than 700 pieces of debris, putting over 1,000 satellites and other objects in a high-traffic region of Earth's orbit at risk of hazardous collisions.
        
        China's state-owned Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) launched 18 internet satellites into orbit on Tuesday as the inaugural batch of a communications network that will challenge SpaceX's vast Starlink constellation.
        
        The upper rocket stage that carried those satellites into orbit appeared to explode soon after deploying its payloads, creating a growing field of debris that U.S. space-tracking firms estimate to be at least 700 pieces so far.
        
        U.S. space-tracking firm LeoLabs said it was likely the number of debris pieces exceeds 900, making the event one of the largest ever. Several analysts said, the debris cloud, created at roughly 800 kilometres (497 miles) in altitude, will last several years.
        
        It was unclear whether the latest rocket body's break-up was caused by a collision with another object or an onboard explosion of unused rocket fuel. U.S. Space Command initially said the event created 300 pieces of debris, a number that was seen as likely to increase as the debris cloud disperses.