An experimental Russian satellite disintegrated in orbit
Creating a pile of debris
Russia’s KOSMOS 2499 satellite disintegrated while in orbit around Earth, with the US Space Force reporting that it is tracking 85 different pieces of debris at an altitude of 1,169 kilometers. The breakup of the satellite took place on January 4, but the reason remains unknown. Unfortunately, at this height, it will take decades for the debris to de-orbit and burn up in the atmosphere.
In fact, this is the second dissolution of this particular satellite. The first took place on October 23, 2021, creating 22 different, detectable pieces of debris in orbit.
The history of the satellite is mysterious. It was launched silently on May 23, 2014, performing unusual movements, leading many to conclude that it was an experimental anti-satellite weapon. But an article published in the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology said the satellite was designed to test experimental propulsion technologies.
The reason for the breakup seems to be an explosion in the propulsion system, of low power, but enough to break up the vessel. The same thing happened in 2020 to a similar vessel, KOSMOS 2491, which was also attributed to an engine explosion.
The problem of space debris remains unsolved. On January 27, 2023, a rocket fragment passed just six meters past a decommissioned satellite at an altitude of 984 kilometers. If the two objects had collided, the orbit would have been filled with thousands of small pieces of debris that would have posed a danger to the missions.
