Tags: Space Debris, Breeze M, Russia
Publication: SpaceFlightNow.com
Publication Date: 10/24/2012

Artist’s impression of trackable space debris in orbit. Image credit: ESA

The in-orbit explosion of the Russian Breeze M rocket after a launch failure has left hundreds of space debris fragments that signify increased danger for global satellite operators. While the United States’ JFCC-Space, constantly monitors objects in orbit and issues collision alerts to the satellite industry, experts believe that the explosion has likely released many more debris fragments than those being tracked by the U.S.

This marks the third explosion of a Breeze M stage since 2007, with partially full propellant tanks. These explosions have generated around 200 pieces of debris combined.

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