[ad_1]
The Indian Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed the atmospheric re-entry and subsequent demise of Cartosat-2, ISRO’s high-resolution imaging satellite over the Indian Ocean on Wednesday.
Follow- ISRO’S INSAT-3DS mission launch LIVE Updates
The final prediction positioned Cartosat-2’s re-entry over the Indian Ocean at 3:48pm on February 14, ISRO said in a statement on Friday.
Analysis showed that all major spacecraft components would burn up during atmospheric re-entry, ISRO added.
The successful de-orbiting of Cartosat-2 marks a significant achievement for ISRO in ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities, the space agency said.
ALSO READ- How does Ram Mandir look from space? ISRO satellite captures image
Cartosat-2: India’s eye in space
Cartosat-2, ISRO’s first high-resolution imaging satellite of the second generation, was launched on January 10, 2007. It weighed 680 kg and orbited the Earth in a specific path at an altitude of 635 km.
Until 2019, it was vital to provide detailed images used in urban planning. Cartosat-2 was notable for its ability to capture data with resolutions finer than 1 meter.
ALSO READ- Countdown for ISRO’s INSAT-3DS satellite launch begins: All about the mission
ISRO expedited the descent for space sustainability
Originally, Cartosat-2 was projected to take around 30 years to naturally descend from orbit. However, ISRO chose to decrease its perigee (the point in its orbit closest to Earth) using remaining fuel to adhere to international guidelines for mitigating space debris, the space agency said.
This decision aimed at minimising collision risks and ensuring safe disposal at the end of its operational life.
ALSO READ- ISRO Young Scientist Programme 2024 announced, registration begins on Feb 20
Space debris- a growing menace
More than 25,000 objects larger than 10 cm are currently known to exist in Earth’s orbit, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The estimated population of human-made object particles ranging between 1 and 10 cm in diameter is approximately 500,000. Additionally, the number of particles larger than 1 mm exceeds 10 crore. As of January 2022, the total mass of material orbiting the Earth has surpassed 9,000 metric tons, the US space agency said.
The unintentional collision in 2009 between the American communications satellite, Iridium-33, and the retired Russian spacecraft, Cosmos-2251, significantly increased the number of large debris in orbit. These fragments now account for one-third of all catalogued orbital debris.
[ad_2]
Source link
