Expert in space technology Igor Lisov has called the possible cause of the explosion of the tank of the Russian upper stage “Fregat-SB” in space. He told this in an interview with “Moskovsky Komsomolets” on Sunday, may 10.
The expert said that such phenomenon is not uncommon. According to him, boosters are usually used as the last stage of the carrier rocket, after the termination of work lead to a storage orbit to a “passivation”.
“This is when all the excess fuel components merge, the battery is switched off. If this is not done, for whatever reason, or not done completely, then maybe a spontaneous fracture,” — said Lisov, adding that the warmth of the sun heated the tank a few months explodes.
The expert explained that the debris left after the explosion, can not threaten other spacecraft, as it is “highly elliptical orbit”.
A similar view was expressed by another expert in the field of space industry Ivan Moiseyev, reports “Interfax”. According to Moses, the wreckage of the fuel tank of the upper stage “Fregat” are not a real threat to the International space station (ISS).
“It’s a small addition to the debris already flying. From a mathematical point of view, the risk increases, from a practical — not really,” said the expert.
In Roscosmos, meanwhile, have confirmed destruction in Earth orbit, reset the tanks of the upper stage, reports TASS. The organization noted that the unit was used in the orbiting astrophysical satellite “Spektr-R” in 2011.
The explosion of the tank of the Russian upper stage “Fregat-SB” reported earlier, on may 10 18 squadron space surveillance USAF. According to the American side, the explosion occurred on may 8 between 7:02 and 8:51 GMT. The tank exploded in 65 of the wreckage. Clarified that the incident is not related to a collision with another object. The destroyed tank has a number 37756 in the American military catalog of space objects and the international designator 2011-037B.
