Abstract
Between March 1991, and March 1993, three USSR/CIS upper stages from two different launch vehicle families broke up at moderate LEO altitudes, creating more than 300 long-lived debris. All three vehicles had successfully completed their satellite delivery missions before the breakups occurred 1–21 days after launch. Two of the vehicles, a Kosmos second stage and a Zenit second stage, apparently experienced multiple fragmentations. Joint Russian-American accident investigations have characterized the fragmentation events, uncovered potential accident scenarios, and recommended corrective measures for future missions. As seen repeatedly in recent years, residual propellants continue to be an apparent source for launch vehicle breakups. International cooperation can not only assist in better defining the near-Earth space environment, but also can improve space operations and mitigate the unnecessary growth of the Earth's satellite population.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
