Submission + - US Delta rocket crashes in Mongolia
Dr La writes: Two metal objects, one cylindrical and a smaller round one, which
crashed near Buren Soum in the Tuv province of Mongolia on 19 February
, are parts of an American Delta II rocket stage (nr. 35939, 2009-052C) that launched the military STSS Demo 1 & 2 satellites in September 2009.
The largest of the two objects is 7.5 meter long and has the serial number "02728" on it. Pictures of both objects can be seen here
The Delta II rocket in question launched a military satellite duo, parts of the STSS program, intended for space-based detection and tracking of missiles.
The fall of the rocket stage was followed by amateur satellite trackers in the months leading up to the February 19 decay over Mongolia. Based on their final orbit determinations just hours before the decay, the decay must have occured near 3:32 UTC on February 19.
The Delta II rocket in question launched a military satellite duo, parts of the STSS program, intended for space-based detection and tracking of missiles.
The fall of the rocket stage was followed by amateur satellite trackers in the months leading up to the February 19 decay over Mongolia. Based on their final orbit determinations just hours before the decay, the decay must have occured near 3:32 UTC on February 19.
