In Space, No One Can Hear You...LIE.

Recently there was a report of two satellites that collided 'over Siberia'. One was described as 'an old Russian military satellite' and one was as an 'Iridium Comsat'.

Over Siberia. Convenient.

Consider for a moment (as Rod Serling would say) the vast empty square miles of space around the earth. Much was made of how crowded the orbital lanes have become.

But they aren't. There are millions and millions of square miles of empty space, and only thousands of satellites and other objects circling the globe. Sounds like a lot of objects, doesn't it?

But then consider that space is 3 dimensional. Consider that the only other time there was a collision, it was intentional on the part of the Chinese. The only other time.

So, how likely was it that this really was an accident? Two satellites, occupying a few square feet among billions of square feet of empty space. And, I never saw mention in the media that one was in a polar orbit , one in a more inclined equatorial orbit...moving at right angles to one another, more or less- making it all the more unlikely that they would manage to occupy exactly the same space at exactly the same time! Over Siberia.

NOT LIKELY.

This 'accident' was more likely either a test on the part of the Russians of a space based weapon system---and/or a warning. With the increased tension between Russia and the US as backdrop, this seems a more likely scenario than an accident.

The US Military subsequently says that there is no danger of space debris from the 'accident' entering the atmosphere after several events where 'meteors' were seen, even in broad daylight, in the days after the event. At the same, time, the FAA issues a NOTAM that airlines and other pilots should be aware that space debris is indeed a possible danger to aircraft.

So, who is credible, who is telling the truth?

I'll go with the FAA...and reason that the military has every motivation to maintain this was an accident. Even when common sense says it almost certainly was not.

And, now, we hear nothing, not a peep, ever though it was reported at the time that thousands of pieces of space debris that could be very dangerous were created by this collision.

Where is the best place to hide, even in space?

In plain sight.

Remember, in space no one can hear you...LIE.

MC