Telkom 1 satellite breaking up - video
Telkom 1 satellite breaking up - video
Author
Discussion

MartG

Original Poster:

22,643 posts

231 months

Monday 4th September 2017
quotequote all
Video of the 18 year old Telkom 1 satellite apparently shedding debris in geostationary orbit

https://twitter.com/AuerSusan/status/9047711969312...

Eric Mc

125,332 posts

292 months

Tuesday 5th September 2017
quotequote all
Interesting for two reasons

I) I didn't realise that satellites so far from earth (22,000 miles plus) could be imaged - because of the distance

ii) the event itself

Have they any explanations yet as to why this happened? Was it an internal explosion or was it struck by debris?

Mr. Potato Head

1,177 posts

246 months

Tuesday 5th September 2017
quotequote all
I wondered if it was a fuel tank leaking

Eric Mc

125,332 posts

292 months

Tuesday 5th September 2017
quotequote all
It looks a bit more violent than a simple leak or outgassing.

MartG

Original Poster:

22,643 posts

231 months

Tuesday 5th September 2017
quotequote all
The initial event looks like a gas or liquid escaping, followed by solid debris

XM5ER

5,094 posts

275 months

Tuesday 5th September 2017
quotequote all
's obvious. 's aliens innit.

FunkyNige

9,784 posts

302 months

Tuesday 5th September 2017
quotequote all
A quick Google suggests a company called ExoAnalytic Solutions tracks and images satelites on a continuous basis, I never even knew there was a market for such a company but obviously there is.
Even more worryingly "A minimum of four aging geostationary satellites have unexpectedly malfunctioned this summer." according to
https://www.space.com/38017-exoanalytic-video-telk...

Moonhawk

10,730 posts

246 months

Tuesday 5th September 2017
quotequote all
"Telkom...Isn't that the satellite that's raining debris all over Europe?"

"Why is that toy on your head?"

"Because, if I wear it anywhere else, it chafes."