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> Satellites can and do collide despite the vast amount of space in a given orbit. Excluding planned collisions, or collisions during failed docking, I found 4
by ubercore 8y ago
> Satellites can and do collide despite the vast amount of space in a given orbit.
Excluding planned collisions, or collisions during failed docking, I found 4 instances of collisions between satellites and space debris. Ever. Now, a couple of things:
* Yes this larger constellation will increase those odds in the future.
* No, a catastrophic doomsday scenario did not occur when those happened.
* SpaceX will have complete control of these satellites through their operational lifespan (excluding collisions or malfunctions).
* Orbital decay for debris at the altitude they're operating at is ~10 years.
Also, have to ask... is all this concern a result of reading Seveneves? :)
- Rooster61 8y agoI'm afraid I haven't heard of Seveneves before today, although it does look like an interesting read. My concern is just from a general interest in spaceflight. More of a wish to protect a resource rather than a Chicken Little fear of the sky literally falling out.