Satellite Debris Rains Down on Southwest: FAA

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 15, 2009 6:21 PM CST

(Newser) – Fireballs streaking across Kentucky, Texas, and New Mexico are likely debris from two satellites that collided last week, Space.com reports. Since Friday, residents have been calling police and weather offices reporting loud blasts that FAA officials are attributing to debris entering the atmosphere. The FAA also warned airplane pilots to watch for falling satellite parts.

“It was like a ball of flame with a tail," one Texas resident told the Dallas Morning News. "It looked like a meteor." A defunct Russian satellite smashed into a US satellite on Tuesday, spewing debris that experts say could orbit Earth for 10,000 years and threaten the International Space Station.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

This image provided by NASA shows an artist concept of an Iridium satellite in earth orbit. (AP Photo/NASA)

Several residents have complained of explosive sounds and reported comet-like streaks in the sky in central Texas. (Shutterstock)

A comet passes near Earth in this artist's rendering. (Shutterstock)

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Reporting on MSNBC, Brian Williams says a recent satellite collision could threaten Earth for thousands of years. (MSNBC)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

riffran

Feb 16, 2009 6:47 AM CST

I run a satelite tracking on my comp at home to help with working the AMSATS...or oscar's as we hams call them, ....There is a LOT of orbiting "stuff" up there....the equator in paticular....I am suprised this kinda thing doesnt happen more often....Yep I can hear it now...."hey Pa aint that chunk o metal glowin reeeel pretty.....now junior put that down....oh dang it now yer glowing...junior..get back ..junior......JUNIORRRR.....lol

riffran

Feb 15, 2009 7:46 PM CST

I doubt it, there may be some that stay up there a long time, depending on orbital insertion, distance from earth at apogee and perigee, orbital path, and even the subtle expansion and contraction of near atmospheric gasses..(the very fringe of the earths atmosphere, can be quite variable....sky lab was an example of atmospheric drag at the fringes bringing it down)...and a 10,000 year orbit is possible, with the right factors, but not the rule

Guest

Feb 15, 2009 7:18 PM CST

Is that 10,000 years for materials to orbit earth figure accurate?

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Space.com (Source Grid »)
Dallas Morning News (Source Grid »)

No debris has been found yet
KXXV-TV

Texas cops seek debris in helicopters
Waco Tribune-Herald

satellite • collisions • debris

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