3 ms·
Orbital speeds are fast. LEO orbital speed is about 8km/s (about 18,000 mph). So the collision is not between two cars going at 70+-5 mph but 18,000+-1000 mph (
by Arnavion 11y ago
Orbital speeds are fast. LEO orbital speed is about 8km/s (about 18,000 mph). So the collision is not between two cars going at 70+-5 mph but 18,000+-1000 mph (say).
As the other comments mention, satellites also have different inclinations. Even a tiny difference of inclination projects a large speed on the axis along the two satellites, again due to the large speeds involved.