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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!lll-crg!dual!ames!al
From: al@ames.UUCP (Al Globus)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Debris from Upcomming ASAT Test
Message-ID: <1200@ames.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 15-Oct-85 21:33:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: ames.1200
Posted: Tue Oct 15 21:33:23 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 18-Oct-85 21:02:07 EDT
References: <385@aurora.UUCP> <15800003@uiucdcsp> <108@muscat.UUCP>
Organization: NASA-Ames Research Center, Mtn. View, CA
Lines: 15

> > 
> > As far as the debris issue is concerned, why not condemn the Soviets
> > for their use of nuclear power plants in their spacecraft.  Talk about
> > hot debris.
> 

One of the two primary sources of space debris is fragments left over
from Soviet ASAT tests.  The other is US boosters that used to explode.
Note that the recent ASAT test destroyed a satellite in a 320 nautical
mile polar orbit - almost exactly the altitude of our future space station
and above most shuttle orbits.  That means that the shuttle will be
dodging our ASAT's debris.

Also note that both the shuttle and salyut have been struck by debris, 
although it is not known if the debris was man made or natural.