China's Yaogan 50-02 satellite breaks up in orbit, creating space debris
China's launched reconnaissance satellite has broken up in orbit into 43 separate pieces. Experts state that this space debris will remain in orbit for hundreds of years.
The Yaogan 50-02 reconnaissance satellite launched into space by China in March broke up in a high orbit, turning into 43 separate pieces of space debris. Astronomers note that this situation has created pollution in orbit that will last for hundreds of years.
The Satellite's Breakup Process
The reconnaissance satellite named Yaogan 50-02, sent into space by China on March 15, was moving in a retrograde direction at an altitude of approximately 950 kilometers. Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer and space tracking expert from Harvard University, announced to the public that the satellite had broken up in orbit.
The Scale of Orbital Debris
According to expert analyses, as a result of this incident, the satellite broke up into 43 separate pieces of space debris at altitudes between 598 and 1100 kilometers. It is estimated that these pieces will continue to remain in orbit for hundreds of years.
Persistence of Space Junk
The natural decay of debris located in orbits above 805 kilometers takes hundreds of years. When the distance exceeds one thousand kilometers, these ruins continue to revolve around Earth for a thousand or more years.
Cause of Breakup Unknown
The exact reason why the satellite broke up has not yet been clarified. Expert Jonathan McDowell evaluates the possibility that the situation may have occurred as a result of an explosion or a collision with another piece of space debris.
Danger in Earth's Orbit
Space debris consists of rocket parts and defunct satellites, as well as hardware such as nuts, bolts, and similar equipment. There are already more than 50,000 objects in Earth's orbit, and this number is increasing, leading to hazards.