It still seems likely that the object is from China, though.
notes that the Space Force’s 18th Space Control Squadron — responsible for tracking space debris — says on its tracking website that it burned up in Earth’s atmosphere in October of 2015. But Gray has an explanation for that discrepancy, too. Apparently, the 18SPCS only provided one update on the rocket’s trajectory shortly after the mission launched and then never again. That means the “conclusion” that the rocket burned up is likely a prediction based on that one update, Gray says.
“If that’s all they had to work with, then the re-entry date is a prediction a year ahead of time and is not particularly meaningful. ,” Gray writes in his blog post.reached out to US Space Command, which maintains the massive catalog of tracked space debris around Earth but did not receive a response in time for publication. We’ll update if we hear back.
So, all signs seem to point to the rocket coming from China. For Gray, what all of this confusion shows is that better tracking of deep space junk is very much needed. Official tracking entities like the 18SPCS are really more focused on tracking debris in lower orbits around Earth, as they post a significant risk to satellites and other assets we rely on every day.
Gray argues that entities launching objects like this should make their rockets’ positioning data publicly available and that someone — or some agency — should maintain all of that info. And above all, some care should be given to how these objects are discarded. “Many more spacecraft are now going into high orbits, and some of them will be taking crews to the Moon,” Gray writes. “Such junk will no longer be merely an annoyance to a small group of astronomers.
As for this object, no matter where it came from, one thing is still certain: it’s going to be dust on March 4th when it slams into the Moon.Subscribe to get the best Verge-approved tech deals of the week.Please confirm your subscription to Verge Deals via the verification email we just sent you.
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