Potential SPOT-1 R/B-Cosmos 1680 R/B collisionDetailed NORAD data have revealed updated orbital elements for the Ariane third-stage rocket body that underwent breakup on November 13, 1986, as well as for the Cosmos 1680 rocket body. Applying the maximum expected error due to the extrapolation of orbital elements to the date of the possible collision between the two bodies shows the smallest possible distance between bodies to have been 380 km, thereby precluding collision.
Document ID
19900030957
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Henize, Karl G. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Rast, Richard H. (Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co. Houston, TX, United States)