Kosmos-2251 (Russian: Космос-2251 meaning Cosmos 2251) was a Russian Strela-2M military communications satellite. It was launched into Low Earth orbit from Site 132/1 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome at 04:17 UTC on 16 June 1993, by a Kosmos-3M carrier rocket.[3][4] The Strela satellites had a lifespan of 5 years, and the Russian government reported that Kosmos-2251 ceased functioning in 1995.[5] Russia was later criticised by The Space Review for leaving a defunct satellite in a congested orbit, rather than deorbiting it. In response, Russia noted that they were (and are)[6] not required to do so under international law.[7][8] In any case, the KAUR-1 satellites had no propulsion system, which is usually required for deorbiting.[9][10]
Mission type | Military communication |
---|---|
Operator | VKS |
COSPAR ID | 1993-036A |
SATCAT no. | 22675 |
Mission duration | 5 years (nominal mission) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft type | Strela-2M |
Bus | KAUR-1[1] |
Manufacturer | Reshetnev |
Launch mass | 900 kg |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 16 June 1993, 04:17 UTC |
Rocket | Kosmos-3M |
Launch site | Plesetsk, Site 132/1 |
End of mission | |
Last contact | 1995 |
Decay date | 10 February 2009 (destroyed in space) |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric[2] |
Regime | Low Earth |
Perigee altitude | 783 km |
Apogee altitude | 821 km |
Inclination | 74.0° |
Period | 101.0 minutes |
At 16:56 UTC on 10 February 2009,[11]itcollided with Iridium 33 (1997-051C), an Iridium satellite,[12] in the first major collision of two satellites in Earth orbit. The Iridium satellite, which was operational at the time of the collision, was destroyed, as was Kosmos-2251.[13] NASA reported that a large amount of debris was produced by the collision.[14][15]
Reported as colliding with Iridum 33 (1997-051C) on 10/02/2009
Russia has not commented on claims that the satellite was out of control.