CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA says two communications satellites collided in the first-ever crash of two intact spacecraft in orbit.
The collision occurred yesterday nearly 500 miles over Siberia. The crash produced a pair of massive debris clouds, according to NASA. But officials say any risk to the international space station, which orbits below the collision course is low.
The collision involved an Iridium commercial satellite, which was launched in 1997, and a Russian satellite launched in 1993 and believed to be non-functioning. Each satellite weighs well over 1,000 pounds.
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