Ground-based optical observations of the orbital debris environment
Space debris encompasses both natural meteoroid and artificial (human-made) orbital debris. Meteoroids are in orbit about the sun, while most artificial debris is in orbit about the Earth (hence the term “orbital” debris). Orbital debris is the term for any object in Earth orbit that no longer serves a useful function. These objects include non-operational spacecraft, derelict launch vehicle stages, mission-related debris, and fragmentation debris. NASA - Orbital Debris Management and Risk Mitigation
January-February-March list of observed objects:
January Observations
2, 27 and 30 January, 2025. Observations:
ACS3 (COSPAR ID: 2024-077B, SATCAT: 59588) NASA (Advanced Composite Solar Sail System) is a technology demonstration designed to characterize solar sail structures technologies for future small spacecraft to engage in deep space missions requiring long-duration, low-thrust propulsion. NASA
29.01.2025. Observations:
1. International Space Station (ISS) (COSPAR ID: 1998-067A, SATCAT: 25544)
February Observations
4 February, 2025. Observations:
ACS3 (COSPAR ID: 2024-077B, SATCAT: 59588) NASA (Advanced Composite Solar Sail System) is a technology demonstration designed to characterize solar sail structures technologies for future small spacecraft to engage in deep space missions requiring long-duration, low-thrust propulsion. NASA
1. SL-3 R/B Rocket Body, (COSPAR ID: 1981-046B, SATCAT: 12465) (derelict launch vehicle stages)
7, 9, 10, 20 and 21 February, 2025. Observations:
CZ-2C R/B Rocket Body (COSPAR ID: 2004-012C, SATCAT: 28222) (derelict launch vehicle stages)
9 and 10 and 21 February, 2025. Observations:
KSLV-II R/B (COSPAR ID: 2023-072H, SATCAT: 56750) (derelict launch vehicle stages)
05.02.2025. Observations:
1. SL-16 R/B Rocket Body, (COSPAR ID: 1985-097B, SATCAT: 16182) derelict launch vehicle stages listed in McKnight Top 50
06.02.2025. Observations:
1. SL-16 R/B Rocket Body, (COSPAR ID: 1985-097B, SATCAT: 16182) derelict launch vehicle stages listed in McKnight Top 50
2. SL-16 R/B Rocket Body, (COSPAR ID: 1988-102B, SATCAT: 19650) derelict launch vehicle stages listed in McKnight Top 50
07.02.2025. Observations:
1. SL-16 R/B Rocket Body, (COSPAR ID: 1988-102B, SATCAT: 19650) derelict launch vehicle stages listed in McKnight Top 50 with Moon Halo phenomenon presented.
09.02.2025. Observations:
1. SL-16 R/B Rocket Body, (COSPAR ID: 1988-102B, SATCAT: 19650) derelict launch vehicle stages listed in McKnight Top 50. Image and video in Full HD 1080p video format.
March Observations
3, 5, 8, 11, 18 and 19 March, 2025. Observations:
CZ-2C R/B Rocket Body (COSPAR ID: 2004-012C, SATCAT: 28222) (derelict launch vehicle stages)
5 and 20 March, 2025. Observations:
KSLV-II R/B (COSPAR ID: 2023-072H, SATCAT: 56750) (derelict launch vehicle stages)
03.03.2025. Observations:
1. SL-16 R/B Rocket Body, (COSPAR ID: 2004-021B, SATCAT: 28353) derelict launch vehicle stages listed in McKnight Top 50
04.03.2025. Observations:
1. SL-14 R/B Rocket Body, (COSPAR ID: 1987-024B, SATCAT: 17567) derelict launch vehicle stages
08.03.2025. Observations:
1. Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory satellite, SATCAT: 39271, environmental research mission
20.03.2025. Observations:
1. Cosmos 1536, non-operational spacecraft
3, 20, 25 and 30 March, 2025. Observations:
CZ-4 R/B Rocket Body (COSPAR ID: 2004-035C, SATCAT: 28415) (derelict launch vehicle stages)