India just shot down a satellite from the ground. At what altitude range is the resulting debris field?Why would a box full of 1cm balls released into LEO be so scary to an engineer supporting the ISS? - (Updated)Who is accountable for damage caused by the debris field of a successful ASAT testHow does the US's 2008 debris cloud compare to India's 2019 and China's 2007 contributions?What did India's recently tested ASAT vehicle really look like?Is there any kind of research on *sub*-orbital rendezvous-ing with a space tug outside the atmosphere?What was the lifetime of the debris from the US Anti-satellite exercise for USA-193?What are the causes of breakups of spent 2nd and 3rd stages, resulting in orbital debris?What systems or technologies are developed to protect ISS from space debris?What would be the first noticeable consequences to the general public of widespread satellite destruction?What did India's recently tested ASAT vehicle really look like?

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India just shot down a satellite from the ground. At what altitude range is the resulting debris field?


Why would a box full of 1cm balls released into LEO be so scary to an engineer supporting the ISS? - (Updated)Who is accountable for damage caused by the debris field of a successful ASAT testHow does the US's 2008 debris cloud compare to India's 2019 and China's 2007 contributions?What did India's recently tested ASAT vehicle really look like?Is there any kind of research on *sub*-orbital rendezvous-ing with a space tug outside the atmosphere?What was the lifetime of the debris from the US Anti-satellite exercise for USA-193?What are the causes of breakups of spent 2nd and 3rd stages, resulting in orbital debris?What systems or technologies are developed to protect ISS from space debris?What would be the first noticeable consequences to the general public of widespread satellite destruction?What did India's recently tested ASAT vehicle really look like?













34












$begingroup$


This tweet from India's prime minister Narendra Modi says:




मेरे प्यारे देशवासियों,



आज सवेरे लगभग 11.45 - 12.00 बजे मैं एक महत्वपूर्ण संदेश लेकर आप के बीच आऊँगा।



I would be addressing the nation at around 11:45 AM - 12.00 noon with an important message.



Do watch the address on television, radio or social media.




There are several subsequent tweets with more specifics, including this one:




In the journey of every nation there are moments that bring utmost pride and have a historic impact on generations to come.



One such moment is today.



India has successfully tested the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile. Congratulations to everyone on the success of #MissionShakti.




Question: At what range of altitudes is the resulting debris field?



note: I'm not asking for just a guess or speculation, please include a source of some type.




YouTube: DRDO's Anti Satellite (A-SAT) Test Visuals



From Times of India's Watch: Launch of anti-satellite missile for Mission Shakti:



India ASAT



Hat tip to @Ohsin for recommending this interesting video about the rocket, and the test itself:















share|improve this question











$endgroup$







  • 4




    $begingroup$
    So if their shrapnel burst takes out other satellites... will they be held accountable?
    $endgroup$
    – Magic Octopus Urn
    Mar 27 at 14:52






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    economictimes.indiatimes.com: 10 things you need to know about ASAT, India's new space slayer
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Mar 27 at 15:05







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    just asked: Who is accountable for the resultant damage caused by the debris field of an ASAT
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Mar 27 at 15:06







  • 16




    $begingroup$
    "Shot down" is the wrong term here, because most if not all of it is still up there. "Blew up", maybe?
    $endgroup$
    – jamesqf
    Mar 27 at 17:22






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @jamesqf yes indeed, and you are in good company. Jonathan McDowell wrote a PSA about that! But PSA aside, the colloquial "shot down a satellite" evokes the proper imagery and response (brings readers to good answers).
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Mar 27 at 21:46















34












$begingroup$


This tweet from India's prime minister Narendra Modi says:




मेरे प्यारे देशवासियों,



आज सवेरे लगभग 11.45 - 12.00 बजे मैं एक महत्वपूर्ण संदेश लेकर आप के बीच आऊँगा।



I would be addressing the nation at around 11:45 AM - 12.00 noon with an important message.



Do watch the address on television, radio or social media.




There are several subsequent tweets with more specifics, including this one:




In the journey of every nation there are moments that bring utmost pride and have a historic impact on generations to come.



One such moment is today.



India has successfully tested the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile. Congratulations to everyone on the success of #MissionShakti.




Question: At what range of altitudes is the resulting debris field?



note: I'm not asking for just a guess or speculation, please include a source of some type.




YouTube: DRDO's Anti Satellite (A-SAT) Test Visuals



From Times of India's Watch: Launch of anti-satellite missile for Mission Shakti:



India ASAT



Hat tip to @Ohsin for recommending this interesting video about the rocket, and the test itself:















share|improve this question











$endgroup$







  • 4




    $begingroup$
    So if their shrapnel burst takes out other satellites... will they be held accountable?
    $endgroup$
    – Magic Octopus Urn
    Mar 27 at 14:52






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    economictimes.indiatimes.com: 10 things you need to know about ASAT, India's new space slayer
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Mar 27 at 15:05







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    just asked: Who is accountable for the resultant damage caused by the debris field of an ASAT
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Mar 27 at 15:06







  • 16




    $begingroup$
    "Shot down" is the wrong term here, because most if not all of it is still up there. "Blew up", maybe?
    $endgroup$
    – jamesqf
    Mar 27 at 17:22






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @jamesqf yes indeed, and you are in good company. Jonathan McDowell wrote a PSA about that! But PSA aside, the colloquial "shot down a satellite" evokes the proper imagery and response (brings readers to good answers).
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Mar 27 at 21:46













34












34








34


3



$begingroup$


This tweet from India's prime minister Narendra Modi says:




मेरे प्यारे देशवासियों,



आज सवेरे लगभग 11.45 - 12.00 बजे मैं एक महत्वपूर्ण संदेश लेकर आप के बीच आऊँगा।



I would be addressing the nation at around 11:45 AM - 12.00 noon with an important message.



Do watch the address on television, radio or social media.




There are several subsequent tweets with more specifics, including this one:




In the journey of every nation there are moments that bring utmost pride and have a historic impact on generations to come.



One such moment is today.



India has successfully tested the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile. Congratulations to everyone on the success of #MissionShakti.




Question: At what range of altitudes is the resulting debris field?



note: I'm not asking for just a guess or speculation, please include a source of some type.




YouTube: DRDO's Anti Satellite (A-SAT) Test Visuals



From Times of India's Watch: Launch of anti-satellite missile for Mission Shakti:



India ASAT



Hat tip to @Ohsin for recommending this interesting video about the rocket, and the test itself:















share|improve this question











$endgroup$




This tweet from India's prime minister Narendra Modi says:




मेरे प्यारे देशवासियों,



आज सवेरे लगभग 11.45 - 12.00 बजे मैं एक महत्वपूर्ण संदेश लेकर आप के बीच आऊँगा।



I would be addressing the nation at around 11:45 AM - 12.00 noon with an important message.



Do watch the address on television, radio or social media.




There are several subsequent tweets with more specifics, including this one:




In the journey of every nation there are moments that bring utmost pride and have a historic impact on generations to come.



One such moment is today.



India has successfully tested the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile. Congratulations to everyone on the success of #MissionShakti.




Question: At what range of altitudes is the resulting debris field?



note: I'm not asking for just a guess or speculation, please include a source of some type.




YouTube: DRDO's Anti Satellite (A-SAT) Test Visuals



From Times of India's Watch: Launch of anti-satellite missile for Mission Shakti:



India ASAT



Hat tip to @Ohsin for recommending this interesting video about the rocket, and the test itself:




















debris military weapon india






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited yesterday







uhoh

















asked Mar 27 at 14:24









uhohuhoh

40.4k18149510




40.4k18149510







  • 4




    $begingroup$
    So if their shrapnel burst takes out other satellites... will they be held accountable?
    $endgroup$
    – Magic Octopus Urn
    Mar 27 at 14:52






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    economictimes.indiatimes.com: 10 things you need to know about ASAT, India's new space slayer
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Mar 27 at 15:05







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    just asked: Who is accountable for the resultant damage caused by the debris field of an ASAT
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Mar 27 at 15:06







  • 16




    $begingroup$
    "Shot down" is the wrong term here, because most if not all of it is still up there. "Blew up", maybe?
    $endgroup$
    – jamesqf
    Mar 27 at 17:22






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @jamesqf yes indeed, and you are in good company. Jonathan McDowell wrote a PSA about that! But PSA aside, the colloquial "shot down a satellite" evokes the proper imagery and response (brings readers to good answers).
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Mar 27 at 21:46












  • 4




    $begingroup$
    So if their shrapnel burst takes out other satellites... will they be held accountable?
    $endgroup$
    – Magic Octopus Urn
    Mar 27 at 14:52






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    economictimes.indiatimes.com: 10 things you need to know about ASAT, India's new space slayer
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Mar 27 at 15:05







  • 1




    $begingroup$
    just asked: Who is accountable for the resultant damage caused by the debris field of an ASAT
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Mar 27 at 15:06







  • 16




    $begingroup$
    "Shot down" is the wrong term here, because most if not all of it is still up there. "Blew up", maybe?
    $endgroup$
    – jamesqf
    Mar 27 at 17:22






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @jamesqf yes indeed, and you are in good company. Jonathan McDowell wrote a PSA about that! But PSA aside, the colloquial "shot down a satellite" evokes the proper imagery and response (brings readers to good answers).
    $endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Mar 27 at 21:46







4




4




$begingroup$
So if their shrapnel burst takes out other satellites... will they be held accountable?
$endgroup$
– Magic Octopus Urn
Mar 27 at 14:52




$begingroup$
So if their shrapnel burst takes out other satellites... will they be held accountable?
$endgroup$
– Magic Octopus Urn
Mar 27 at 14:52




1




1




$begingroup$
economictimes.indiatimes.com: 10 things you need to know about ASAT, India's new space slayer
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Mar 27 at 15:05





$begingroup$
economictimes.indiatimes.com: 10 things you need to know about ASAT, India's new space slayer
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Mar 27 at 15:05





1




1




$begingroup$
just asked: Who is accountable for the resultant damage caused by the debris field of an ASAT
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Mar 27 at 15:06





$begingroup$
just asked: Who is accountable for the resultant damage caused by the debris field of an ASAT
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Mar 27 at 15:06





16




16




$begingroup$
"Shot down" is the wrong term here, because most if not all of it is still up there. "Blew up", maybe?
$endgroup$
– jamesqf
Mar 27 at 17:22




$begingroup$
"Shot down" is the wrong term here, because most if not all of it is still up there. "Blew up", maybe?
$endgroup$
– jamesqf
Mar 27 at 17:22




1




1




$begingroup$
@jamesqf yes indeed, and you are in good company. Jonathan McDowell wrote a PSA about that! But PSA aside, the colloquial "shot down a satellite" evokes the proper imagery and response (brings readers to good answers).
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Mar 27 at 21:46




$begingroup$
@jamesqf yes indeed, and you are in good company. Jonathan McDowell wrote a PSA about that! But PSA aside, the colloquial "shot down a satellite" evokes the proper imagery and response (brings readers to good answers).
$endgroup$
– uhoh
Mar 27 at 21:46










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















35












$begingroup$

The apogee/ perigee of 2019-006A, the object likely shot down, was 260- 282 km, pretty low. Some of that debris could be quite a bit higher, but most of it will be lower, and all of it will have a new perigee/ apogee in that range, which will likely be shrinking quickly. It is expected that it will be similar to the debris cloud from USA-193 (Operation Burnt Frost), which had the following debris cloud Gabbard Plot (From Celestrak). Note that all debris reentered within 18 months after that operation, and most within a few days. I suspect it won't be quite as energetic, as there presumably isn't as much fuel quick could cause a significant energy event, but it's the best we have for now.



enter image description here



The best place to look would be from Space-Track's new catalog objects not associated with a launch. That data should be available soon. If you want to follow someone on Twitter to find out more, I recommend Jonathan McDowell



Edit: The first Gabbard Plot has been made for this event, from this source. Looks like it is going quite high.



enter image description here






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$




















    15












    $begingroup$

    At this time, it is not yet known. There are some 250 objects observed, but it takes time to catalog them all. The object destroyed was most likely MICROSAT-R (TLE catalog number 43947, which is in a 294 x 265 km orbit at 96 degrees inclination.



    Due to the nature of the event, it's likely some of the objects have apogees well above ISS orbit. At this time, there is little to no public data available. When it comes available, you can expect to see it at space-track.org and celestrak.org in addition to the twitter account @TSKelso.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$








    • 1




      $begingroup$
      as if a box full of marbles wasn't enough for you guys to worry about already.
      $endgroup$
      – uhoh
      Mar 27 at 14:43






    • 4




      $begingroup$
      At least this debris field is expected to be short-lived, unlike the Chinese ASAT test.
      $endgroup$
      – Tristan
      Mar 27 at 15:02






    • 3




      $begingroup$
      Not sure if the debris cloud will be short-lived, since it is a low solar activity period.
      $endgroup$
      – Harish
      Mar 27 at 17:26






    • 3




      $begingroup$
      Even at nearly record low solar activity, orbit lifetimes with perigees below 300 km are many orders of magnitude shorter than those at 900-ish km.
      $endgroup$
      – Tristan
      Mar 28 at 14:58










    • $begingroup$
      As of 13:46 UTC on 29 March 2019, no TLEs related to the event have been released.
      $endgroup$
      – Tristan
      Mar 29 at 13:47


















    5












    $begingroup$


    At what altitude range is the resulting debris field?




    Update:



    CNN: India anti-satellite missile test a 'terrible thing,' NASA chief says




    India's anti-satellite missile test created at least 400 pieces of orbital debris, the head of NASA says -- placing the International Space Station (ISS) and its astronauts at risk.



    NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said Monday that just 60 pieces of debris were large enough to track. Of those, 24 went above the apogee of the ISS, the point of the space station's orbit farthest from the Earth.



    "That is a terrible, terrible thing to create an event that sends debris at an apogee that goes above the International Space Station," Bridenstine said in a live-streamed NASA town hall meeting. "That kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight."



    He added: "It is not acceptable for us to allow people to create orbital debris fields that put at risk our people."




    See also Ars Technica's India ASAT test debris poses danger to International Space Station, NASA says (hat tip @Machavity)



    You can see and hear the complete question and answer in the new NASA video of the Town Hall with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine appropriately coincidentally released on April Fools Day 2019, starting at 07:40:









    Original answer:



    After about 05:00 in Scott Manley's video Updates - JPL Visit, Mars 2020, Moon in 5 Year, EVA Changes, Indian ASAT he talks about the test and in the video notes he links to the Analytical Graphics video 2019 Indian Anti-Satellite Weapon Test - Updated. The video mentions




    • Breakup generated by DEBBIE tool implementation of ESA-enhanced NASA Standard Breakup Model 2004.

    • Approximately 6500 fragments larger than 0.5 cm produced.



    and the animation shows many debris fragments going 1000 km or higher, in elliptical orbits.



    The ISS at 400 km will then definitely be intersecting this collision plane twice every 93 minutes at an altitude capable of intercepting some of these fragments.



    India Anti-satellite missile ASAT test



    India Anti-satellite missile ASAT test











    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$








    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Also arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/…
      $endgroup$
      – Machavity
      Apr 2 at 19:58










    • $begingroup$
      @Machavity thanks! added link.
      $endgroup$
      – uhoh
      Apr 2 at 22:13






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Here are TLEs of fragments celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/2019-006.php
      $endgroup$
      – Ohsin
      yesterday










    • $begingroup$
      @Ohsin that's great! Would you like to post an answer with the orbits? If not, I'll give it a try.
      $endgroup$
      – uhoh
      yesterday






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      @uhoh Go ahead :)
      $endgroup$
      – Ohsin
      yesterday


















    3












    $begingroup$

    I'll just follow up a bit on the collision.



    Per tweet and tweet and answer and answer and post:



    • launch 5:40 UT (27 March 2019)

    • MICROSAT-r 43947, 2019-006A

    • over Abdul Kalam Island 5:42 UT

    I've put a recent TLE into Skyfield and we can see that the satellite was moving north from the equator towards Abdul Kalam Island, India. According to the image in India's surprise ASAT test of 27 March 2019 the launch was somewhat south over the ocean to meet it.



    At 05:42 the altitude was about 281 km and the velocity 7.73 km/s.



    MICROSAT-R 
    1 43947U 19006A 19086.74388517 .07448791 20151+0 12875-1 0 9992
    2 43947 96.7526 0.1883 0022976 252.9519 167.8627 16.09438738 9918


    enter image description here



    enter image description here Source



    # https://celestrak.com/satcat/
    TLE = """MICROSAT-R
    1 43947U 19006A 19086.74388517 .07448791 20151+0 12875-1 0 9992
    2 43947 96.7526 0.1883 0022976 252.9519 167.8627 16.09438738 9918"""
    name, L1, L2 = TLE.splitlines()

    # https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/1110833431523545088
    # https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1110861054010105858
    # https://sattrackcam.blogspot.com/2019/03/indias-surprise-asat-test-of-27-march.html
    # launch 5:40 UT (27 March 2019)
    # over 5:42 UT on 27 March 2019
    # Abdul Kalam island on the Indian East Coast
    # 20.757N, 87.084E

    import numpy as np
    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
    from skyfield.api import Topos, Loader, EarthSatellite

    load = Loader('~/Documents/fishing/SkyData') # single instance for big files
    ts = load.timescale()
    de421 = load('de421.bsp')
    earth = de421['earth']

    Abdul_Kalam_Island = earth + Topos(latitude_degrees = +20.757,
    longitude_degrees = +87.084,
    elevation_m = 10.0)
    minutes = np.arange(35, 50, 0.1)
    times = ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, minutes)

    MICROSAT_r = earth + EarthSatellite(L1, L2)

    astrometric = Abdul_Kalam_Island.at(times).observe(MICROSAT_r)
    alt, az, d = astrometric.apparent().altaz(pressure_mbar=0)

    pos_42 = earth.at(ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, 42)).observe(MICROSAT_r).position.km
    vel_42 = earth.at(ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, 42)).observe(MICROSAT_r).velocity.km_per_s

    r = np.sqrt((pos_42**2).sum())
    v = np.sqrt((vel_42**2).sum())
    print pos_42
    print r
    print r - 6378.137
    print v

    if True:
    plt.figure()
    plt.subplot(3, 1, 1)
    plt.plot(minutes, alt.degrees)
    plt.ylabel('elevation (deg)', fontsize=16)
    plt.ylim(0, 90)
    plt.xlim(35, 50)

    plt.subplot(3, 1, 2)
    plt.plot(minutes, az.degrees)
    plt.ylabel('azimuth (deg)', fontsize=16)
    plt.ylim(0, 360)
    plt.xlim(35, 50)

    plt.subplot(3, 1, 3)
    plt.plot(minutes, d.km)
    plt.ylabel('range (km)', fontsize=16)
    plt.xlabel('time after 05:00 (minutes)', fontsize=16)
    plt.ylim(250, 500)
    plt.xlim(35, 50)

    plt.suptitle('MICROSAT-r vs Abdul Kalam Island, 27-03-2019 UTC', fontsize=16)
    plt.show()





    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$




















      2












      $begingroup$

      Thanks to @Ohsin's comment I have plotted the propagated orbits of 57 tracked debris objects with published TLEs as well as the TLE for (whatever is left of) the original spacecraft and the original rocket body, as well as for the ISS.



      You can see that most of the debris still has a low periapsis where it was created, but a lot of it has aopapsis of 1000 to 2000 kilometers. Of course the downward scattered objects immediately burned up in the atmosphere, so the distribution is asymmetrical.



      Much of these remaining large pieces intersect the altitude of the ISS twice per orbit.



      The first two plots are the 3D orbits, the thick black line is the ISS's inclined orbit. Two rotated views are shown because Stack Exchange doesn't support WebGL yet (also and also), and neither do I yet.



      The last plot is altitude versus time (minutes) starting at the ascending node of each object separately. Obviously the objects with a higher apoapsis have a longer period.



      In all plots, the thick black line is the ISS.



      Python script: https://pastebin.com/X7u0RZWR



      India ASAT test debris versus ISS



      India ASAT test debris versus ISS



      India ASAT test debris versus ISS






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$













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        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        35












        $begingroup$

        The apogee/ perigee of 2019-006A, the object likely shot down, was 260- 282 km, pretty low. Some of that debris could be quite a bit higher, but most of it will be lower, and all of it will have a new perigee/ apogee in that range, which will likely be shrinking quickly. It is expected that it will be similar to the debris cloud from USA-193 (Operation Burnt Frost), which had the following debris cloud Gabbard Plot (From Celestrak). Note that all debris reentered within 18 months after that operation, and most within a few days. I suspect it won't be quite as energetic, as there presumably isn't as much fuel quick could cause a significant energy event, but it's the best we have for now.



        enter image description here



        The best place to look would be from Space-Track's new catalog objects not associated with a launch. That data should be available soon. If you want to follow someone on Twitter to find out more, I recommend Jonathan McDowell



        Edit: The first Gabbard Plot has been made for this event, from this source. Looks like it is going quite high.



        enter image description here






        share|improve this answer











        $endgroup$

















          35












          $begingroup$

          The apogee/ perigee of 2019-006A, the object likely shot down, was 260- 282 km, pretty low. Some of that debris could be quite a bit higher, but most of it will be lower, and all of it will have a new perigee/ apogee in that range, which will likely be shrinking quickly. It is expected that it will be similar to the debris cloud from USA-193 (Operation Burnt Frost), which had the following debris cloud Gabbard Plot (From Celestrak). Note that all debris reentered within 18 months after that operation, and most within a few days. I suspect it won't be quite as energetic, as there presumably isn't as much fuel quick could cause a significant energy event, but it's the best we have for now.



          enter image description here



          The best place to look would be from Space-Track's new catalog objects not associated with a launch. That data should be available soon. If you want to follow someone on Twitter to find out more, I recommend Jonathan McDowell



          Edit: The first Gabbard Plot has been made for this event, from this source. Looks like it is going quite high.



          enter image description here






          share|improve this answer











          $endgroup$















            35












            35








            35





            $begingroup$

            The apogee/ perigee of 2019-006A, the object likely shot down, was 260- 282 km, pretty low. Some of that debris could be quite a bit higher, but most of it will be lower, and all of it will have a new perigee/ apogee in that range, which will likely be shrinking quickly. It is expected that it will be similar to the debris cloud from USA-193 (Operation Burnt Frost), which had the following debris cloud Gabbard Plot (From Celestrak). Note that all debris reentered within 18 months after that operation, and most within a few days. I suspect it won't be quite as energetic, as there presumably isn't as much fuel quick could cause a significant energy event, but it's the best we have for now.



            enter image description here



            The best place to look would be from Space-Track's new catalog objects not associated with a launch. That data should be available soon. If you want to follow someone on Twitter to find out more, I recommend Jonathan McDowell



            Edit: The first Gabbard Plot has been made for this event, from this source. Looks like it is going quite high.



            enter image description here






            share|improve this answer











            $endgroup$



            The apogee/ perigee of 2019-006A, the object likely shot down, was 260- 282 km, pretty low. Some of that debris could be quite a bit higher, but most of it will be lower, and all of it will have a new perigee/ apogee in that range, which will likely be shrinking quickly. It is expected that it will be similar to the debris cloud from USA-193 (Operation Burnt Frost), which had the following debris cloud Gabbard Plot (From Celestrak). Note that all debris reentered within 18 months after that operation, and most within a few days. I suspect it won't be quite as energetic, as there presumably isn't as much fuel quick could cause a significant energy event, but it's the best we have for now.



            enter image description here



            The best place to look would be from Space-Track's new catalog objects not associated with a launch. That data should be available soon. If you want to follow someone on Twitter to find out more, I recommend Jonathan McDowell



            Edit: The first Gabbard Plot has been made for this event, from this source. Looks like it is going quite high.



            enter image description here







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 15 hours ago

























            answered Mar 27 at 14:42









            PearsonArtPhotoPearsonArtPhoto

            84.3k16243465




            84.3k16243465





















                15












                $begingroup$

                At this time, it is not yet known. There are some 250 objects observed, but it takes time to catalog them all. The object destroyed was most likely MICROSAT-R (TLE catalog number 43947, which is in a 294 x 265 km orbit at 96 degrees inclination.



                Due to the nature of the event, it's likely some of the objects have apogees well above ISS orbit. At this time, there is little to no public data available. When it comes available, you can expect to see it at space-track.org and celestrak.org in addition to the twitter account @TSKelso.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$








                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  as if a box full of marbles wasn't enough for you guys to worry about already.
                  $endgroup$
                  – uhoh
                  Mar 27 at 14:43






                • 4




                  $begingroup$
                  At least this debris field is expected to be short-lived, unlike the Chinese ASAT test.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Tristan
                  Mar 27 at 15:02






                • 3




                  $begingroup$
                  Not sure if the debris cloud will be short-lived, since it is a low solar activity period.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Harish
                  Mar 27 at 17:26






                • 3




                  $begingroup$
                  Even at nearly record low solar activity, orbit lifetimes with perigees below 300 km are many orders of magnitude shorter than those at 900-ish km.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Tristan
                  Mar 28 at 14:58










                • $begingroup$
                  As of 13:46 UTC on 29 March 2019, no TLEs related to the event have been released.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Tristan
                  Mar 29 at 13:47















                15












                $begingroup$

                At this time, it is not yet known. There are some 250 objects observed, but it takes time to catalog them all. The object destroyed was most likely MICROSAT-R (TLE catalog number 43947, which is in a 294 x 265 km orbit at 96 degrees inclination.



                Due to the nature of the event, it's likely some of the objects have apogees well above ISS orbit. At this time, there is little to no public data available. When it comes available, you can expect to see it at space-track.org and celestrak.org in addition to the twitter account @TSKelso.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$








                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  as if a box full of marbles wasn't enough for you guys to worry about already.
                  $endgroup$
                  – uhoh
                  Mar 27 at 14:43






                • 4




                  $begingroup$
                  At least this debris field is expected to be short-lived, unlike the Chinese ASAT test.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Tristan
                  Mar 27 at 15:02






                • 3




                  $begingroup$
                  Not sure if the debris cloud will be short-lived, since it is a low solar activity period.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Harish
                  Mar 27 at 17:26






                • 3




                  $begingroup$
                  Even at nearly record low solar activity, orbit lifetimes with perigees below 300 km are many orders of magnitude shorter than those at 900-ish km.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Tristan
                  Mar 28 at 14:58










                • $begingroup$
                  As of 13:46 UTC on 29 March 2019, no TLEs related to the event have been released.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Tristan
                  Mar 29 at 13:47













                15












                15








                15





                $begingroup$

                At this time, it is not yet known. There are some 250 objects observed, but it takes time to catalog them all. The object destroyed was most likely MICROSAT-R (TLE catalog number 43947, which is in a 294 x 265 km orbit at 96 degrees inclination.



                Due to the nature of the event, it's likely some of the objects have apogees well above ISS orbit. At this time, there is little to no public data available. When it comes available, you can expect to see it at space-track.org and celestrak.org in addition to the twitter account @TSKelso.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$



                At this time, it is not yet known. There are some 250 objects observed, but it takes time to catalog them all. The object destroyed was most likely MICROSAT-R (TLE catalog number 43947, which is in a 294 x 265 km orbit at 96 degrees inclination.



                Due to the nature of the event, it's likely some of the objects have apogees well above ISS orbit. At this time, there is little to no public data available. When it comes available, you can expect to see it at space-track.org and celestrak.org in addition to the twitter account @TSKelso.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Mar 27 at 14:38









                TristanTristan

                11.3k13857




                11.3k13857







                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  as if a box full of marbles wasn't enough for you guys to worry about already.
                  $endgroup$
                  – uhoh
                  Mar 27 at 14:43






                • 4




                  $begingroup$
                  At least this debris field is expected to be short-lived, unlike the Chinese ASAT test.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Tristan
                  Mar 27 at 15:02






                • 3




                  $begingroup$
                  Not sure if the debris cloud will be short-lived, since it is a low solar activity period.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Harish
                  Mar 27 at 17:26






                • 3




                  $begingroup$
                  Even at nearly record low solar activity, orbit lifetimes with perigees below 300 km are many orders of magnitude shorter than those at 900-ish km.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Tristan
                  Mar 28 at 14:58










                • $begingroup$
                  As of 13:46 UTC on 29 March 2019, no TLEs related to the event have been released.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Tristan
                  Mar 29 at 13:47












                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  as if a box full of marbles wasn't enough for you guys to worry about already.
                  $endgroup$
                  – uhoh
                  Mar 27 at 14:43






                • 4




                  $begingroup$
                  At least this debris field is expected to be short-lived, unlike the Chinese ASAT test.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Tristan
                  Mar 27 at 15:02






                • 3




                  $begingroup$
                  Not sure if the debris cloud will be short-lived, since it is a low solar activity period.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Harish
                  Mar 27 at 17:26






                • 3




                  $begingroup$
                  Even at nearly record low solar activity, orbit lifetimes with perigees below 300 km are many orders of magnitude shorter than those at 900-ish km.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Tristan
                  Mar 28 at 14:58










                • $begingroup$
                  As of 13:46 UTC on 29 March 2019, no TLEs related to the event have been released.
                  $endgroup$
                  – Tristan
                  Mar 29 at 13:47







                1




                1




                $begingroup$
                as if a box full of marbles wasn't enough for you guys to worry about already.
                $endgroup$
                – uhoh
                Mar 27 at 14:43




                $begingroup$
                as if a box full of marbles wasn't enough for you guys to worry about already.
                $endgroup$
                – uhoh
                Mar 27 at 14:43




                4




                4




                $begingroup$
                At least this debris field is expected to be short-lived, unlike the Chinese ASAT test.
                $endgroup$
                – Tristan
                Mar 27 at 15:02




                $begingroup$
                At least this debris field is expected to be short-lived, unlike the Chinese ASAT test.
                $endgroup$
                – Tristan
                Mar 27 at 15:02




                3




                3




                $begingroup$
                Not sure if the debris cloud will be short-lived, since it is a low solar activity period.
                $endgroup$
                – Harish
                Mar 27 at 17:26




                $begingroup$
                Not sure if the debris cloud will be short-lived, since it is a low solar activity period.
                $endgroup$
                – Harish
                Mar 27 at 17:26




                3




                3




                $begingroup$
                Even at nearly record low solar activity, orbit lifetimes with perigees below 300 km are many orders of magnitude shorter than those at 900-ish km.
                $endgroup$
                – Tristan
                Mar 28 at 14:58




                $begingroup$
                Even at nearly record low solar activity, orbit lifetimes with perigees below 300 km are many orders of magnitude shorter than those at 900-ish km.
                $endgroup$
                – Tristan
                Mar 28 at 14:58












                $begingroup$
                As of 13:46 UTC on 29 March 2019, no TLEs related to the event have been released.
                $endgroup$
                – Tristan
                Mar 29 at 13:47




                $begingroup$
                As of 13:46 UTC on 29 March 2019, no TLEs related to the event have been released.
                $endgroup$
                – Tristan
                Mar 29 at 13:47











                5












                $begingroup$


                At what altitude range is the resulting debris field?




                Update:



                CNN: India anti-satellite missile test a 'terrible thing,' NASA chief says




                India's anti-satellite missile test created at least 400 pieces of orbital debris, the head of NASA says -- placing the International Space Station (ISS) and its astronauts at risk.



                NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said Monday that just 60 pieces of debris were large enough to track. Of those, 24 went above the apogee of the ISS, the point of the space station's orbit farthest from the Earth.



                "That is a terrible, terrible thing to create an event that sends debris at an apogee that goes above the International Space Station," Bridenstine said in a live-streamed NASA town hall meeting. "That kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight."



                He added: "It is not acceptable for us to allow people to create orbital debris fields that put at risk our people."




                See also Ars Technica's India ASAT test debris poses danger to International Space Station, NASA says (hat tip @Machavity)



                You can see and hear the complete question and answer in the new NASA video of the Town Hall with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine appropriately coincidentally released on April Fools Day 2019, starting at 07:40:









                Original answer:



                After about 05:00 in Scott Manley's video Updates - JPL Visit, Mars 2020, Moon in 5 Year, EVA Changes, Indian ASAT he talks about the test and in the video notes he links to the Analytical Graphics video 2019 Indian Anti-Satellite Weapon Test - Updated. The video mentions




                • Breakup generated by DEBBIE tool implementation of ESA-enhanced NASA Standard Breakup Model 2004.

                • Approximately 6500 fragments larger than 0.5 cm produced.



                and the animation shows many debris fragments going 1000 km or higher, in elliptical orbits.



                The ISS at 400 km will then definitely be intersecting this collision plane twice every 93 minutes at an altitude capable of intercepting some of these fragments.



                India Anti-satellite missile ASAT test



                India Anti-satellite missile ASAT test











                share|improve this answer











                $endgroup$








                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  Also arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/…
                  $endgroup$
                  – Machavity
                  Apr 2 at 19:58










                • $begingroup$
                  @Machavity thanks! added link.
                  $endgroup$
                  – uhoh
                  Apr 2 at 22:13






                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  Here are TLEs of fragments celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/2019-006.php
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ohsin
                  yesterday










                • $begingroup$
                  @Ohsin that's great! Would you like to post an answer with the orbits? If not, I'll give it a try.
                  $endgroup$
                  – uhoh
                  yesterday






                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  @uhoh Go ahead :)
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ohsin
                  yesterday















                5












                $begingroup$


                At what altitude range is the resulting debris field?




                Update:



                CNN: India anti-satellite missile test a 'terrible thing,' NASA chief says




                India's anti-satellite missile test created at least 400 pieces of orbital debris, the head of NASA says -- placing the International Space Station (ISS) and its astronauts at risk.



                NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said Monday that just 60 pieces of debris were large enough to track. Of those, 24 went above the apogee of the ISS, the point of the space station's orbit farthest from the Earth.



                "That is a terrible, terrible thing to create an event that sends debris at an apogee that goes above the International Space Station," Bridenstine said in a live-streamed NASA town hall meeting. "That kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight."



                He added: "It is not acceptable for us to allow people to create orbital debris fields that put at risk our people."




                See also Ars Technica's India ASAT test debris poses danger to International Space Station, NASA says (hat tip @Machavity)



                You can see and hear the complete question and answer in the new NASA video of the Town Hall with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine appropriately coincidentally released on April Fools Day 2019, starting at 07:40:









                Original answer:



                After about 05:00 in Scott Manley's video Updates - JPL Visit, Mars 2020, Moon in 5 Year, EVA Changes, Indian ASAT he talks about the test and in the video notes he links to the Analytical Graphics video 2019 Indian Anti-Satellite Weapon Test - Updated. The video mentions




                • Breakup generated by DEBBIE tool implementation of ESA-enhanced NASA Standard Breakup Model 2004.

                • Approximately 6500 fragments larger than 0.5 cm produced.



                and the animation shows many debris fragments going 1000 km or higher, in elliptical orbits.



                The ISS at 400 km will then definitely be intersecting this collision plane twice every 93 minutes at an altitude capable of intercepting some of these fragments.



                India Anti-satellite missile ASAT test



                India Anti-satellite missile ASAT test











                share|improve this answer











                $endgroup$








                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  Also arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/…
                  $endgroup$
                  – Machavity
                  Apr 2 at 19:58










                • $begingroup$
                  @Machavity thanks! added link.
                  $endgroup$
                  – uhoh
                  Apr 2 at 22:13






                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  Here are TLEs of fragments celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/2019-006.php
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ohsin
                  yesterday










                • $begingroup$
                  @Ohsin that's great! Would you like to post an answer with the orbits? If not, I'll give it a try.
                  $endgroup$
                  – uhoh
                  yesterday






                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  @uhoh Go ahead :)
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ohsin
                  yesterday













                5












                5








                5





                $begingroup$


                At what altitude range is the resulting debris field?




                Update:



                CNN: India anti-satellite missile test a 'terrible thing,' NASA chief says




                India's anti-satellite missile test created at least 400 pieces of orbital debris, the head of NASA says -- placing the International Space Station (ISS) and its astronauts at risk.



                NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said Monday that just 60 pieces of debris were large enough to track. Of those, 24 went above the apogee of the ISS, the point of the space station's orbit farthest from the Earth.



                "That is a terrible, terrible thing to create an event that sends debris at an apogee that goes above the International Space Station," Bridenstine said in a live-streamed NASA town hall meeting. "That kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight."



                He added: "It is not acceptable for us to allow people to create orbital debris fields that put at risk our people."




                See also Ars Technica's India ASAT test debris poses danger to International Space Station, NASA says (hat tip @Machavity)



                You can see and hear the complete question and answer in the new NASA video of the Town Hall with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine appropriately coincidentally released on April Fools Day 2019, starting at 07:40:









                Original answer:



                After about 05:00 in Scott Manley's video Updates - JPL Visit, Mars 2020, Moon in 5 Year, EVA Changes, Indian ASAT he talks about the test and in the video notes he links to the Analytical Graphics video 2019 Indian Anti-Satellite Weapon Test - Updated. The video mentions




                • Breakup generated by DEBBIE tool implementation of ESA-enhanced NASA Standard Breakup Model 2004.

                • Approximately 6500 fragments larger than 0.5 cm produced.



                and the animation shows many debris fragments going 1000 km or higher, in elliptical orbits.



                The ISS at 400 km will then definitely be intersecting this collision plane twice every 93 minutes at an altitude capable of intercepting some of these fragments.



                India Anti-satellite missile ASAT test



                India Anti-satellite missile ASAT test











                share|improve this answer











                $endgroup$




                At what altitude range is the resulting debris field?




                Update:



                CNN: India anti-satellite missile test a 'terrible thing,' NASA chief says




                India's anti-satellite missile test created at least 400 pieces of orbital debris, the head of NASA says -- placing the International Space Station (ISS) and its astronauts at risk.



                NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said Monday that just 60 pieces of debris were large enough to track. Of those, 24 went above the apogee of the ISS, the point of the space station's orbit farthest from the Earth.



                "That is a terrible, terrible thing to create an event that sends debris at an apogee that goes above the International Space Station," Bridenstine said in a live-streamed NASA town hall meeting. "That kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight."



                He added: "It is not acceptable for us to allow people to create orbital debris fields that put at risk our people."




                See also Ars Technica's India ASAT test debris poses danger to International Space Station, NASA says (hat tip @Machavity)



                You can see and hear the complete question and answer in the new NASA video of the Town Hall with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine appropriately coincidentally released on April Fools Day 2019, starting at 07:40:









                Original answer:



                After about 05:00 in Scott Manley's video Updates - JPL Visit, Mars 2020, Moon in 5 Year, EVA Changes, Indian ASAT he talks about the test and in the video notes he links to the Analytical Graphics video 2019 Indian Anti-Satellite Weapon Test - Updated. The video mentions




                • Breakup generated by DEBBIE tool implementation of ESA-enhanced NASA Standard Breakup Model 2004.

                • Approximately 6500 fragments larger than 0.5 cm produced.



                and the animation shows many debris fragments going 1000 km or higher, in elliptical orbits.



                The ISS at 400 km will then definitely be intersecting this collision plane twice every 93 minutes at an altitude capable of intercepting some of these fragments.



                India Anti-satellite missile ASAT test



                India Anti-satellite missile ASAT test




























                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited Apr 2 at 22:13

























                answered Apr 1 at 16:17









                uhohuhoh

                40.4k18149510




                40.4k18149510







                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  Also arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/…
                  $endgroup$
                  – Machavity
                  Apr 2 at 19:58










                • $begingroup$
                  @Machavity thanks! added link.
                  $endgroup$
                  – uhoh
                  Apr 2 at 22:13






                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  Here are TLEs of fragments celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/2019-006.php
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ohsin
                  yesterday










                • $begingroup$
                  @Ohsin that's great! Would you like to post an answer with the orbits? If not, I'll give it a try.
                  $endgroup$
                  – uhoh
                  yesterday






                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  @uhoh Go ahead :)
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ohsin
                  yesterday












                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  Also arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/…
                  $endgroup$
                  – Machavity
                  Apr 2 at 19:58










                • $begingroup$
                  @Machavity thanks! added link.
                  $endgroup$
                  – uhoh
                  Apr 2 at 22:13






                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  Here are TLEs of fragments celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/2019-006.php
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ohsin
                  yesterday










                • $begingroup$
                  @Ohsin that's great! Would you like to post an answer with the orbits? If not, I'll give it a try.
                  $endgroup$
                  – uhoh
                  yesterday






                • 1




                  $begingroup$
                  @uhoh Go ahead :)
                  $endgroup$
                  – Ohsin
                  yesterday







                1




                1




                $begingroup$
                Also arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/…
                $endgroup$
                – Machavity
                Apr 2 at 19:58




                $begingroup$
                Also arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/04/…
                $endgroup$
                – Machavity
                Apr 2 at 19:58












                $begingroup$
                @Machavity thanks! added link.
                $endgroup$
                – uhoh
                Apr 2 at 22:13




                $begingroup$
                @Machavity thanks! added link.
                $endgroup$
                – uhoh
                Apr 2 at 22:13




                1




                1




                $begingroup$
                Here are TLEs of fragments celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/2019-006.php
                $endgroup$
                – Ohsin
                yesterday




                $begingroup$
                Here are TLEs of fragments celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/2019-006.php
                $endgroup$
                – Ohsin
                yesterday












                $begingroup$
                @Ohsin that's great! Would you like to post an answer with the orbits? If not, I'll give it a try.
                $endgroup$
                – uhoh
                yesterday




                $begingroup$
                @Ohsin that's great! Would you like to post an answer with the orbits? If not, I'll give it a try.
                $endgroup$
                – uhoh
                yesterday




                1




                1




                $begingroup$
                @uhoh Go ahead :)
                $endgroup$
                – Ohsin
                yesterday




                $begingroup$
                @uhoh Go ahead :)
                $endgroup$
                – Ohsin
                yesterday











                3












                $begingroup$

                I'll just follow up a bit on the collision.



                Per tweet and tweet and answer and answer and post:



                • launch 5:40 UT (27 March 2019)

                • MICROSAT-r 43947, 2019-006A

                • over Abdul Kalam Island 5:42 UT

                I've put a recent TLE into Skyfield and we can see that the satellite was moving north from the equator towards Abdul Kalam Island, India. According to the image in India's surprise ASAT test of 27 March 2019 the launch was somewhat south over the ocean to meet it.



                At 05:42 the altitude was about 281 km and the velocity 7.73 km/s.



                MICROSAT-R 
                1 43947U 19006A 19086.74388517 .07448791 20151+0 12875-1 0 9992
                2 43947 96.7526 0.1883 0022976 252.9519 167.8627 16.09438738 9918


                enter image description here



                enter image description here Source



                # https://celestrak.com/satcat/
                TLE = """MICROSAT-R
                1 43947U 19006A 19086.74388517 .07448791 20151+0 12875-1 0 9992
                2 43947 96.7526 0.1883 0022976 252.9519 167.8627 16.09438738 9918"""
                name, L1, L2 = TLE.splitlines()

                # https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/1110833431523545088
                # https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1110861054010105858
                # https://sattrackcam.blogspot.com/2019/03/indias-surprise-asat-test-of-27-march.html
                # launch 5:40 UT (27 March 2019)
                # over 5:42 UT on 27 March 2019
                # Abdul Kalam island on the Indian East Coast
                # 20.757N, 87.084E

                import numpy as np
                import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
                from skyfield.api import Topos, Loader, EarthSatellite

                load = Loader('~/Documents/fishing/SkyData') # single instance for big files
                ts = load.timescale()
                de421 = load('de421.bsp')
                earth = de421['earth']

                Abdul_Kalam_Island = earth + Topos(latitude_degrees = +20.757,
                longitude_degrees = +87.084,
                elevation_m = 10.0)
                minutes = np.arange(35, 50, 0.1)
                times = ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, minutes)

                MICROSAT_r = earth + EarthSatellite(L1, L2)

                astrometric = Abdul_Kalam_Island.at(times).observe(MICROSAT_r)
                alt, az, d = astrometric.apparent().altaz(pressure_mbar=0)

                pos_42 = earth.at(ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, 42)).observe(MICROSAT_r).position.km
                vel_42 = earth.at(ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, 42)).observe(MICROSAT_r).velocity.km_per_s

                r = np.sqrt((pos_42**2).sum())
                v = np.sqrt((vel_42**2).sum())
                print pos_42
                print r
                print r - 6378.137
                print v

                if True:
                plt.figure()
                plt.subplot(3, 1, 1)
                plt.plot(minutes, alt.degrees)
                plt.ylabel('elevation (deg)', fontsize=16)
                plt.ylim(0, 90)
                plt.xlim(35, 50)

                plt.subplot(3, 1, 2)
                plt.plot(minutes, az.degrees)
                plt.ylabel('azimuth (deg)', fontsize=16)
                plt.ylim(0, 360)
                plt.xlim(35, 50)

                plt.subplot(3, 1, 3)
                plt.plot(minutes, d.km)
                plt.ylabel('range (km)', fontsize=16)
                plt.xlabel('time after 05:00 (minutes)', fontsize=16)
                plt.ylim(250, 500)
                plt.xlim(35, 50)

                plt.suptitle('MICROSAT-r vs Abdul Kalam Island, 27-03-2019 UTC', fontsize=16)
                plt.show()





                share|improve this answer











                $endgroup$

















                  3












                  $begingroup$

                  I'll just follow up a bit on the collision.



                  Per tweet and tweet and answer and answer and post:



                  • launch 5:40 UT (27 March 2019)

                  • MICROSAT-r 43947, 2019-006A

                  • over Abdul Kalam Island 5:42 UT

                  I've put a recent TLE into Skyfield and we can see that the satellite was moving north from the equator towards Abdul Kalam Island, India. According to the image in India's surprise ASAT test of 27 March 2019 the launch was somewhat south over the ocean to meet it.



                  At 05:42 the altitude was about 281 km and the velocity 7.73 km/s.



                  MICROSAT-R 
                  1 43947U 19006A 19086.74388517 .07448791 20151+0 12875-1 0 9992
                  2 43947 96.7526 0.1883 0022976 252.9519 167.8627 16.09438738 9918


                  enter image description here



                  enter image description here Source



                  # https://celestrak.com/satcat/
                  TLE = """MICROSAT-R
                  1 43947U 19006A 19086.74388517 .07448791 20151+0 12875-1 0 9992
                  2 43947 96.7526 0.1883 0022976 252.9519 167.8627 16.09438738 9918"""
                  name, L1, L2 = TLE.splitlines()

                  # https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/1110833431523545088
                  # https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1110861054010105858
                  # https://sattrackcam.blogspot.com/2019/03/indias-surprise-asat-test-of-27-march.html
                  # launch 5:40 UT (27 March 2019)
                  # over 5:42 UT on 27 March 2019
                  # Abdul Kalam island on the Indian East Coast
                  # 20.757N, 87.084E

                  import numpy as np
                  import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
                  from skyfield.api import Topos, Loader, EarthSatellite

                  load = Loader('~/Documents/fishing/SkyData') # single instance for big files
                  ts = load.timescale()
                  de421 = load('de421.bsp')
                  earth = de421['earth']

                  Abdul_Kalam_Island = earth + Topos(latitude_degrees = +20.757,
                  longitude_degrees = +87.084,
                  elevation_m = 10.0)
                  minutes = np.arange(35, 50, 0.1)
                  times = ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, minutes)

                  MICROSAT_r = earth + EarthSatellite(L1, L2)

                  astrometric = Abdul_Kalam_Island.at(times).observe(MICROSAT_r)
                  alt, az, d = astrometric.apparent().altaz(pressure_mbar=0)

                  pos_42 = earth.at(ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, 42)).observe(MICROSAT_r).position.km
                  vel_42 = earth.at(ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, 42)).observe(MICROSAT_r).velocity.km_per_s

                  r = np.sqrt((pos_42**2).sum())
                  v = np.sqrt((vel_42**2).sum())
                  print pos_42
                  print r
                  print r - 6378.137
                  print v

                  if True:
                  plt.figure()
                  plt.subplot(3, 1, 1)
                  plt.plot(minutes, alt.degrees)
                  plt.ylabel('elevation (deg)', fontsize=16)
                  plt.ylim(0, 90)
                  plt.xlim(35, 50)

                  plt.subplot(3, 1, 2)
                  plt.plot(minutes, az.degrees)
                  plt.ylabel('azimuth (deg)', fontsize=16)
                  plt.ylim(0, 360)
                  plt.xlim(35, 50)

                  plt.subplot(3, 1, 3)
                  plt.plot(minutes, d.km)
                  plt.ylabel('range (km)', fontsize=16)
                  plt.xlabel('time after 05:00 (minutes)', fontsize=16)
                  plt.ylim(250, 500)
                  plt.xlim(35, 50)

                  plt.suptitle('MICROSAT-r vs Abdul Kalam Island, 27-03-2019 UTC', fontsize=16)
                  plt.show()





                  share|improve this answer











                  $endgroup$















                    3












                    3








                    3





                    $begingroup$

                    I'll just follow up a bit on the collision.



                    Per tweet and tweet and answer and answer and post:



                    • launch 5:40 UT (27 March 2019)

                    • MICROSAT-r 43947, 2019-006A

                    • over Abdul Kalam Island 5:42 UT

                    I've put a recent TLE into Skyfield and we can see that the satellite was moving north from the equator towards Abdul Kalam Island, India. According to the image in India's surprise ASAT test of 27 March 2019 the launch was somewhat south over the ocean to meet it.



                    At 05:42 the altitude was about 281 km and the velocity 7.73 km/s.



                    MICROSAT-R 
                    1 43947U 19006A 19086.74388517 .07448791 20151+0 12875-1 0 9992
                    2 43947 96.7526 0.1883 0022976 252.9519 167.8627 16.09438738 9918


                    enter image description here



                    enter image description here Source



                    # https://celestrak.com/satcat/
                    TLE = """MICROSAT-R
                    1 43947U 19006A 19086.74388517 .07448791 20151+0 12875-1 0 9992
                    2 43947 96.7526 0.1883 0022976 252.9519 167.8627 16.09438738 9918"""
                    name, L1, L2 = TLE.splitlines()

                    # https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/1110833431523545088
                    # https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1110861054010105858
                    # https://sattrackcam.blogspot.com/2019/03/indias-surprise-asat-test-of-27-march.html
                    # launch 5:40 UT (27 March 2019)
                    # over 5:42 UT on 27 March 2019
                    # Abdul Kalam island on the Indian East Coast
                    # 20.757N, 87.084E

                    import numpy as np
                    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
                    from skyfield.api import Topos, Loader, EarthSatellite

                    load = Loader('~/Documents/fishing/SkyData') # single instance for big files
                    ts = load.timescale()
                    de421 = load('de421.bsp')
                    earth = de421['earth']

                    Abdul_Kalam_Island = earth + Topos(latitude_degrees = +20.757,
                    longitude_degrees = +87.084,
                    elevation_m = 10.0)
                    minutes = np.arange(35, 50, 0.1)
                    times = ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, minutes)

                    MICROSAT_r = earth + EarthSatellite(L1, L2)

                    astrometric = Abdul_Kalam_Island.at(times).observe(MICROSAT_r)
                    alt, az, d = astrometric.apparent().altaz(pressure_mbar=0)

                    pos_42 = earth.at(ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, 42)).observe(MICROSAT_r).position.km
                    vel_42 = earth.at(ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, 42)).observe(MICROSAT_r).velocity.km_per_s

                    r = np.sqrt((pos_42**2).sum())
                    v = np.sqrt((vel_42**2).sum())
                    print pos_42
                    print r
                    print r - 6378.137
                    print v

                    if True:
                    plt.figure()
                    plt.subplot(3, 1, 1)
                    plt.plot(minutes, alt.degrees)
                    plt.ylabel('elevation (deg)', fontsize=16)
                    plt.ylim(0, 90)
                    plt.xlim(35, 50)

                    plt.subplot(3, 1, 2)
                    plt.plot(minutes, az.degrees)
                    plt.ylabel('azimuth (deg)', fontsize=16)
                    plt.ylim(0, 360)
                    plt.xlim(35, 50)

                    plt.subplot(3, 1, 3)
                    plt.plot(minutes, d.km)
                    plt.ylabel('range (km)', fontsize=16)
                    plt.xlabel('time after 05:00 (minutes)', fontsize=16)
                    plt.ylim(250, 500)
                    plt.xlim(35, 50)

                    plt.suptitle('MICROSAT-r vs Abdul Kalam Island, 27-03-2019 UTC', fontsize=16)
                    plt.show()





                    share|improve this answer











                    $endgroup$



                    I'll just follow up a bit on the collision.



                    Per tweet and tweet and answer and answer and post:



                    • launch 5:40 UT (27 March 2019)

                    • MICROSAT-r 43947, 2019-006A

                    • over Abdul Kalam Island 5:42 UT

                    I've put a recent TLE into Skyfield and we can see that the satellite was moving north from the equator towards Abdul Kalam Island, India. According to the image in India's surprise ASAT test of 27 March 2019 the launch was somewhat south over the ocean to meet it.



                    At 05:42 the altitude was about 281 km and the velocity 7.73 km/s.



                    MICROSAT-R 
                    1 43947U 19006A 19086.74388517 .07448791 20151+0 12875-1 0 9992
                    2 43947 96.7526 0.1883 0022976 252.9519 167.8627 16.09438738 9918


                    enter image description here



                    enter image description here Source



                    # https://celestrak.com/satcat/
                    TLE = """MICROSAT-R
                    1 43947U 19006A 19086.74388517 .07448791 20151+0 12875-1 0 9992
                    2 43947 96.7526 0.1883 0022976 252.9519 167.8627 16.09438738 9918"""
                    name, L1, L2 = TLE.splitlines()

                    # https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/1110833431523545088
                    # https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1110861054010105858
                    # https://sattrackcam.blogspot.com/2019/03/indias-surprise-asat-test-of-27-march.html
                    # launch 5:40 UT (27 March 2019)
                    # over 5:42 UT on 27 March 2019
                    # Abdul Kalam island on the Indian East Coast
                    # 20.757N, 87.084E

                    import numpy as np
                    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
                    from skyfield.api import Topos, Loader, EarthSatellite

                    load = Loader('~/Documents/fishing/SkyData') # single instance for big files
                    ts = load.timescale()
                    de421 = load('de421.bsp')
                    earth = de421['earth']

                    Abdul_Kalam_Island = earth + Topos(latitude_degrees = +20.757,
                    longitude_degrees = +87.084,
                    elevation_m = 10.0)
                    minutes = np.arange(35, 50, 0.1)
                    times = ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, minutes)

                    MICROSAT_r = earth + EarthSatellite(L1, L2)

                    astrometric = Abdul_Kalam_Island.at(times).observe(MICROSAT_r)
                    alt, az, d = astrometric.apparent().altaz(pressure_mbar=0)

                    pos_42 = earth.at(ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, 42)).observe(MICROSAT_r).position.km
                    vel_42 = earth.at(ts.utc(2019, 3, 27, 5, 42)).observe(MICROSAT_r).velocity.km_per_s

                    r = np.sqrt((pos_42**2).sum())
                    v = np.sqrt((vel_42**2).sum())
                    print pos_42
                    print r
                    print r - 6378.137
                    print v

                    if True:
                    plt.figure()
                    plt.subplot(3, 1, 1)
                    plt.plot(minutes, alt.degrees)
                    plt.ylabel('elevation (deg)', fontsize=16)
                    plt.ylim(0, 90)
                    plt.xlim(35, 50)

                    plt.subplot(3, 1, 2)
                    plt.plot(minutes, az.degrees)
                    plt.ylabel('azimuth (deg)', fontsize=16)
                    plt.ylim(0, 360)
                    plt.xlim(35, 50)

                    plt.subplot(3, 1, 3)
                    plt.plot(minutes, d.km)
                    plt.ylabel('range (km)', fontsize=16)
                    plt.xlabel('time after 05:00 (minutes)', fontsize=16)
                    plt.ylim(250, 500)
                    plt.xlim(35, 50)

                    plt.suptitle('MICROSAT-r vs Abdul Kalam Island, 27-03-2019 UTC', fontsize=16)
                    plt.show()






                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited Mar 29 at 3:58

























                    answered Mar 29 at 3:40









                    uhohuhoh

                    40.4k18149510




                    40.4k18149510





















                        2












                        $begingroup$

                        Thanks to @Ohsin's comment I have plotted the propagated orbits of 57 tracked debris objects with published TLEs as well as the TLE for (whatever is left of) the original spacecraft and the original rocket body, as well as for the ISS.



                        You can see that most of the debris still has a low periapsis where it was created, but a lot of it has aopapsis of 1000 to 2000 kilometers. Of course the downward scattered objects immediately burned up in the atmosphere, so the distribution is asymmetrical.



                        Much of these remaining large pieces intersect the altitude of the ISS twice per orbit.



                        The first two plots are the 3D orbits, the thick black line is the ISS's inclined orbit. Two rotated views are shown because Stack Exchange doesn't support WebGL yet (also and also), and neither do I yet.



                        The last plot is altitude versus time (minutes) starting at the ascending node of each object separately. Obviously the objects with a higher apoapsis have a longer period.



                        In all plots, the thick black line is the ISS.



                        Python script: https://pastebin.com/X7u0RZWR



                        India ASAT test debris versus ISS



                        India ASAT test debris versus ISS



                        India ASAT test debris versus ISS






                        share|improve this answer











                        $endgroup$

















                          2












                          $begingroup$

                          Thanks to @Ohsin's comment I have plotted the propagated orbits of 57 tracked debris objects with published TLEs as well as the TLE for (whatever is left of) the original spacecraft and the original rocket body, as well as for the ISS.



                          You can see that most of the debris still has a low periapsis where it was created, but a lot of it has aopapsis of 1000 to 2000 kilometers. Of course the downward scattered objects immediately burned up in the atmosphere, so the distribution is asymmetrical.



                          Much of these remaining large pieces intersect the altitude of the ISS twice per orbit.



                          The first two plots are the 3D orbits, the thick black line is the ISS's inclined orbit. Two rotated views are shown because Stack Exchange doesn't support WebGL yet (also and also), and neither do I yet.



                          The last plot is altitude versus time (minutes) starting at the ascending node of each object separately. Obviously the objects with a higher apoapsis have a longer period.



                          In all plots, the thick black line is the ISS.



                          Python script: https://pastebin.com/X7u0RZWR



                          India ASAT test debris versus ISS



                          India ASAT test debris versus ISS



                          India ASAT test debris versus ISS






                          share|improve this answer











                          $endgroup$















                            2












                            2








                            2





                            $begingroup$

                            Thanks to @Ohsin's comment I have plotted the propagated orbits of 57 tracked debris objects with published TLEs as well as the TLE for (whatever is left of) the original spacecraft and the original rocket body, as well as for the ISS.



                            You can see that most of the debris still has a low periapsis where it was created, but a lot of it has aopapsis of 1000 to 2000 kilometers. Of course the downward scattered objects immediately burned up in the atmosphere, so the distribution is asymmetrical.



                            Much of these remaining large pieces intersect the altitude of the ISS twice per orbit.



                            The first two plots are the 3D orbits, the thick black line is the ISS's inclined orbit. Two rotated views are shown because Stack Exchange doesn't support WebGL yet (also and also), and neither do I yet.



                            The last plot is altitude versus time (minutes) starting at the ascending node of each object separately. Obviously the objects with a higher apoapsis have a longer period.



                            In all plots, the thick black line is the ISS.



                            Python script: https://pastebin.com/X7u0RZWR



                            India ASAT test debris versus ISS



                            India ASAT test debris versus ISS



                            India ASAT test debris versus ISS






                            share|improve this answer











                            $endgroup$



                            Thanks to @Ohsin's comment I have plotted the propagated orbits of 57 tracked debris objects with published TLEs as well as the TLE for (whatever is left of) the original spacecraft and the original rocket body, as well as for the ISS.



                            You can see that most of the debris still has a low periapsis where it was created, but a lot of it has aopapsis of 1000 to 2000 kilometers. Of course the downward scattered objects immediately burned up in the atmosphere, so the distribution is asymmetrical.



                            Much of these remaining large pieces intersect the altitude of the ISS twice per orbit.



                            The first two plots are the 3D orbits, the thick black line is the ISS's inclined orbit. Two rotated views are shown because Stack Exchange doesn't support WebGL yet (also and also), and neither do I yet.



                            The last plot is altitude versus time (minutes) starting at the ascending node of each object separately. Obviously the objects with a higher apoapsis have a longer period.



                            In all plots, the thick black line is the ISS.



                            Python script: https://pastebin.com/X7u0RZWR



                            India ASAT test debris versus ISS



                            India ASAT test debris versus ISS



                            India ASAT test debris versus ISS







                            share|improve this answer














                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer








                            edited yesterday

























                            answered yesterday









                            uhohuhoh

                            40.4k18149510




                            40.4k18149510



























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