ISS debris avoidance

[TacovilleMC]

How likely is it for NASA to miss some mid-sized piece of space debris, resulting in said space debris impacting the ISS? Just curious.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Depends on what you consider, "mid-sized". The Space Surveillance Network can track objects as small as five centimeters in diameter (in low Earth orbit). Smaller objects, down to flecks of paint can still cause serious issues with orbiting satellites/space stations. The US Shuttle had to frequently replace it's windows due to such impacts.

-Wolf sends

 

[Helio]

The ISS does alter its trajectory to avoid these risks.

 

[freda777]

Shouldnt those who put stuff up there be responsible for the consequences like when it falls down? Like here you cant just dump stuff on the highways or let stuff block them

 

[Wolfshadw]

Shouldnt those who put stuff up there be responsible for the consequences like when it falls down? Like here you cant just dump stuff on the highways or let stuff block them

Should be, but in space, it's impossible to enforce.

-Wolf sends

 

[Clovis]

The movie gravity showed the damage it could cause.

 

[TacovilleMC]

The movie gravity showed the damage it could cause.

Just the trailer for that movie instills me with a burning rage