Space Collisions
Name of SpacecraftCountry of OriginTipology of SpacecraftCOSPAR IDSATCAT no.Date of LaunchTipology of CollisionDate of the EventPosition at the Time of the EventStatus at the Time of the EventConsequenceNotes/DetailsSources
Cosmos 1934Soviet UnionParus (Парус) navigation and communications constellation1988-023A1898522 March 1988Collision with Space Debris23 December 1991LEO (980km altitude)DecomissionedFragmentation of the spacecraftThe collision occurred with a piece of launch debris from Cosmos 926. The debris piece (Sat. No. 13475) was evidently shattered into smaller, non-trackable debris by the impact. The impact also generated two more trackable debris (COSPAR ID1988- 023C, SATCAT no. 21912 and COSPAR ID 1988-023D, SATCAT no. 22919).https://www.webcitation.org/68aOtzP0H?url=http://www.astronautix.com/craft/parus.html. “Accidental Collisions of Cataloged Satellites Identified”, The Orbital Debris Quarterly News, NASA JSC, April 2005. Available online at https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/ODQNv9i2.pdf.3 https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/tsikada.htm
Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-45)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1992-015A2191524 March 1992Multiple collision with space debris24 March 1992LEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentThe Space Shuttle Atlantis suffered two gouges, (1.9 in × 1.6 in and 0.4 in × 1 in), on the upper portion of the right wing leading edge. It has been determined that the most probable cause was a low velocity (relative to the spacecraft) debris impact on-orbit or during re-entry.Bedingfield, K.L. & Leach, R.D., Spacecraft System Failures and Anomalies Attributed to the Natural Space Environment. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Marshall Space Flight Center. August 1996. p. 6
Space Shuttle Endeavor (STS-49)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1992-026A219637 May 1992Collision with MMOD15 May 1992LEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentThe crew documented a chip in the upper right hand corner of the thermal window panel. It is unknown if the collision was due to space debris or micrometeorites.Bedingfield, K.L. & Leach, R.D., Spacecraft System Failures and Anomalies Attributed to the Natural Space Environment. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Marshall Space Flight Center. August 1996. p. 35
Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-50)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1992-034A2200025 June 1992Multiple collision with MMOD25 June - 9 July 1992LEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentThe Shuttle windows #4 and #6 showed impact craters.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 2(2), April 1997, p. 3 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv2i2.pdf
The impact sources are estimated to be 100 to 150 microns in size. Analysis showed that they were an aluminium oxide particles. The importance of this event lays in the fact that aluminium oxides particles are normally produced during the burn of solid rocket motors.
SEDS-2USASmall Expendable Deployer Satellite1994-016B-9 March 1994Collision with MMOD14 March 1994LEO (350km altitude)ActiveEnd of MissionThis Small Expendable Deployer Satellite (SEDS) deployed a tether some 20 km in length. SEDS-2 mission objectives were to demonstrate the feasibility of deploying a payload with a closed- loop control law (i.e. a predetermined trajectory) and bring it to a small final angle (<10 degrees) along the local vertical. A secondary objective was to study the long term evolution of a tethered system. The orbit this time was chosen to be circular with an altitude of about 350 kin. The SEDS-2 tether was allegedly cut by a micrometeroid or debris after five days. The EMP transmitted over 39,000 seconds of data before the battery died (1 Hz sampling rate for all the three primary science sensors).7Cosmo, M.L. & Lorenzini E.C., Tethers in Space Handbook. Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, December 1997 p.17
Space Shuttle Endeavor (STS-59)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1994-020A230421994-04-09 00:00:00Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentThe Shuttle window #4 showed an impact crater 7.2mm in diameter and 0.57mm in deep from space debris.
Another impact crater from space debris was found on a radiator (3.8mm diameter and 1.1mm deep)
Space Shuttle Endeavor (STS-72USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1996-001A2376211 January 1996Collision with MMOD20 January 1996LEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentDuring the last day of the mission the rudder speed brake was opened and during this time the interior surface of the brake encountered a hypervelocity particle. The damage consisted in a large crater of 3.4 mm in diameter and 11 mm deep. Parts of the external aluminium were found in under the Inconel Thermal Spring.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 2(4), October 1997, p. 3 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv2i4.pdf
It has been calculated that the orbital debris particle was approximately 1.0mm in diameter.
Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-73)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1995-056A2368820 October 1995Multiple collision with space debrisUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentFor 12 days the port side cargo bay door was in partially open position and exposed in the ram direction in order to protect the cargo bayNASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 2(4), October 1997, p. 3 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv2i4.pdf
Near the aft of door number 4 at approximately 56 inches from the door hinge an hypervelocity impact with a space debris produced a 17mm by 11mm hole. Other smaller impacts were detected.
Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-76)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1996-018A2383122 March 1996Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentAtlantis suffered several hypervelocity impacts whose damage size ranged from 0.02mm to 2.05mm. The Orbiter’s crew module window number 6/Right Side position had an impact 2.05 mm in diameter and 0.18 mm deep. indow #3 (left forward) had eleven small impacts detected, ranging from 0.02 mm to 0.06 mm in diameter. Window #5 (right middle) had one impact recorded which was 0.145 mm in diameter.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 2(4), October 1997, p. 4 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv2i4.pdf
CERISEFranceMilitary reconnaissance microsatellite1995-033B236067 July 1995Collision with Space Debris24 July 1996SSO (585km altitude)ActiveLoss of attitude and fragmentation of the spacecraft. End of mission.The day of the accident a sudden loss of attitude has been observed. Telemetry analysis concluded that an important change in the moments of inertia of the satellite had occurred. Probably the gravity gradient boom or a part of it had been lost leading to a tumbling motion of the satellite. The boom when functional has the purpose of stabilizing and pointing the satellite towards the Earth.Alby, F., Lansard, E., & Michal, T.Alby, F., Lansard, E., & Michal, T., Collision of Cerise with Space Debris, Second European Conference on Space Debris, Organised by ESA, held 17-19 March, 1997, ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany (1997), ESA-SP 393., p. 589 http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu//full/1997ESASP.393..589A/ 0000589.000.html
It has been hit by debris n.18208 (piece of an Ariane rocket) which was generated in November 1986, when ESA's SPOT 1 rocket body broke up into nearly 500 tracked debris. The collision generated debris from the CERISE spacecraft (debris n. 23994) even if without provoking significant changes in its orbit. The satellite was not controlled by a propulsion system so even if it had been possible to predict the impact, the satellite could not have carried out an avoidance maneuver.
Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-79)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1996-057A2432416 September 1996Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentWindow inspections detected 13 impact pits and 6 windows were replaced: 4 due to impacts during STS-79, 1 due to previous impact damage that grew, and 1 replacement due to haze. Window 4 had six new impacts. Windows 6, 7 and 8 were also replaced due to hypervelocity impacts, each containing residues of orbital debris type. The impact on window 7 was 2.3 mm in diameter, and the impact to window 8 was 4.3 mm.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 2(4), October 1997, p. 4 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv2i4.pdf
STS-79 had 18 impacts observed and recorded on the exposed radiator panels.
Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-80)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1996-065A246607 Dember 1996Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentSix windows of the Orbiter had a total of 31 impacts with 2 (7 & 8) window replacements (the largest impact being 1.14 mm in diameter/ copper residue). Six of the impacts contained detectable amount of meteoritic residues while 13 impact samples analyzed by SEM/EDXA contained orbital debris type residues: aluminum (either metallic or aluminum oxide); 3 with stainless steel type alloys (Ni, Cr, Fe); and others with electrical component type (silver, copper) and residues of spacecraft paint (consisting of mostly Zn and/or Ti). A total of 8 impacts were recorded on radiators; the largest 5.54 mm and another 3.15 mm.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 2(4), October 1997, p. 4 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv2i4.pdf
Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-81)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1997-001A2471112 January 1997Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentThe surfaces of OV-104 were inspected and three significant impacts to the windows (5 & 6) were found. Window 6 was replaced with 2 impacts (1.2 mm and 1.0 mm in diameter). Sample procedures were discontinued on the windows pending and investigation into the sampling techniques so no SEM was conducted. The radiators had nine hypervelocity impacts, of which two were face sheet penetrations, 1.5 mm face sheet hole caused by stainless steel type alloy (ni, Cr, Fe), and 1.0 mm with meteoritic residues present.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 2(4), October 1997, p. 4 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv2i4.pdf
Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-82)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1997-004A2471911 February 1997Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentWindow inspections after the mission revealed 23 impacts. The radiator panels had 5 impacts: one contained residues of spacecraft paint, but none were complete face sheet penetrations. The largest FRST damage was 2.85 mm in diameter and was caused by orbital debris (aluminum).NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 2(4), October 1997, p. 4 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv2i4.pdf
Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-83)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1997-013A247551997-04-04 00:00:00Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentPost flight inspection of OV-102 (Columbia) was conducted resulting in 60 window pits documented, but no replacements were needed. The cargo bay door radiator panels sustained two face sheet penetrations (0.4 mm and 0.57 mm) and three craters into the face sheet.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 2(4), October 1997, p. 4 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv2i4.pdf
The outside of the cargo bay door (FRSI material) had a large (3.2 mm diameter and 3.0 mm deep) hypervelocity damage site and large amounts of spacecraft paint type residues were found associated with the impact. The leading edge of the right hand wing also had a large (3.25 mm in diameter) orbital debris impact on its RCC surf.
Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-84)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1997-023A2480415 May 1997Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentThis flight had a total of 19 window impact pits and 1 window replacement. Window number 1 was replaced due to the impact.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 2(4), October 1997, p. 4 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv2i4.pdf
The radiators experienced six new hypervelocity impacts, three of which were face sheet penetrations, the largest was 4.0 mm x 3.9 mm (tape damage)/1.1 mm face sheet damage.
Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-94)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1997-032A248491 July 1997Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentOrbiter had one impact crater on window #7 (8.2mm diameter, 0.55mm depth) caused by a space debris.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 2(4), July 1998, p. 2 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv3i3.pdf
The conical seal of vertical stabilizer of the spacecraft presented an impact crater (0.9mm diameter) caused by a meteoroid.
Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-85)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1997-039A248897 August 1997Collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentThe Orbiter had one impact crater on the RH #4 radiatator (5mm diameter). It was provoked by a meteoroid which extimated diameter was of 0.7mm.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 2(4), July 1998, p. 2 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv3i3.pdf
NOAA-7USATIROS-N Meteorological satellite1981-059A1255323 June 1981High probable collision with MMODAugust 1997SSO (854km altitude)DecomissionedOrbital period change and fragmentation of the spacecraftAfter more than seven years after its decomission the satellite has demonstrated a 1 second change in its orbital period and the release of three debris. Two of these debris were released with low relative velocities, while the third one was thrown into an higher orbit.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 7(3), July 2002, p. 1 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv7i3.pdf
There is a remote possibility that this event was caused by an explosion of some component inside the spacecraft, but due to the characteristics of the aforementioned event, a collision with an untracked object appears highly probable
Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-86)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1997-055A249646 October 1997Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentThe Orbiter had one impact crater on an external manifold radiator of 0.9mm diameter. It was provoked by a stainless steel space debris of 0.4mm in diameter.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 7(3), July 2002, p. 1 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv7i3.pdf
On a second external manifold radiator another impact crater (1mm diameter) was found, but this time it was provoked by a meteoroid of probably no more than 0.2mm diameter.
Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-87)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1997-073A2506117 November 1997Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentOn the orbiter were discovered 189 impact sides. 176 on the windows, 7 on radiators, 4 on he flexible reusable surface insulation (FRSI) and 2 on a reinforced carbon-carbon panel (RCC).NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 3(4), October 1998, p. 5 https:// orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv3i4.pdf
Two of the window impact were severe enough to require replacing the window.
Analysis showed how the Orbiter collided both with space debris and meteoroids.
Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-89)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1998-003A2514323 January 1998Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentOn the orbiter were discovered 122 impact sides. 115 on the windows, 1 on radiators, 5 on he flexible reusable surface insulation (FRSI) and 1 on a reinforced carbon-carbon panel (RCC).NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 4(1), January 1999, p. 7 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv4i1.pdf
A total of 4 windows were replaced due to hypervelocity impact damage created by 2 meteoroids and 2 particles of orbital debris.
Analysis showed how the Orbiter collided both with space debris and meteoroids.
Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-90)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1998-022A252971998-04-17 00:00:00Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentOn the orbiter were discovered more than 3,000 impact sites but only 158 of these exceeded the 250-micron diameter threshold for more detailed reporting.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 4(2), April 1999, p. 3 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv4i2.pdf
Two windows were marked for replacement. Window 1 (the port side window) was replaced due to a single impact which left a 0.5 mm diameter crater. A second window, the starboard middle window, was replaced due to the cumulative damage of nu- merous impacts.
The largest orbital debris impact site seen was in the Flexible Reusable Surface Insulation (FRSI) applied to the exterior of the payload bay doors. A damage region 11.5 mm in length, 6.2 mm in width, and 5.5 mm deep was discovered on the starboard side.
A 0.6-mm stainless steel particle impacted a structural member on the Ku-band antenna electronics box, leaving a crater approximately 2 mm in diameter and 2 mm deep.
Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-95)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1998-064A2551929 October 1998Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentA total of 73 window impacts were identi- fied with the help of a new optical micrometer and fiber optic light source. Five windows required replacement following this mission — 4 windows due to craters which exceeded their replacement criteria and 1 due to cumulative damage over a number of missions.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 4(3), July 1999, p. 4 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv4i3.pdf
Examination of the radiators led to the discovery of three impact features with a mini- mum 1.0 mm damage diameter.
Inspections of the FRSI found two new impact sites greater than 1 mm in extent: one meteoroid (1.6 mm in diameter) and one orbital debris (1.8 mm diameter aluminum). No damage was identified on the RCC surfaces.
Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-88)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1998-069A255494 December 1998Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentA total of 40 window impacts were identified with the help of a new optical micrometer and fiber optic light source. Four windows required replacement following this mission — 3 windows due to craters which exceeded their replacement criteria and 1 due to cumulative damage over a number of missions.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 4(4), October 1999, p. 5 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv4i4.pdf
Examination of the radiators led to the discovery of four impact features with a minimum 1.0 mm damage diameter.
Inspections of the FRSI found five new impact sites greater than 1 mm in extent: one meteoroid (1.2 mm in diameter) and two orbital debris (1.0 and 1.5 mm diameter aluminum). In addition, one new impact site was located on the RCC surfaces.
Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-96)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter1999-030A2576027 May 1999Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentA total of 50 window impacts were identified with the help of a optical micrometer and fiber optic light source. Two windows required replacement following this mission due to craters that exceeded their replacement criteria.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 5(5), January 2000, p. 6 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv5i1.pdf
Examination of the radiators led to the discovery of six impact features with a minimum 1.0 mm damage diameter.
Inspections of the FRSI found six new impact sites greater than 1 mm in extent: two unknown, two meteoroids (1.2 and 1.3 mm in diameter) and two orbital debris (1.1 and 1.3 mm diameter paint and aluminum, respectively). In addition, two new impact sites were located on the RCC surfaces.
Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-92)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter2000-062A2656311 October 2000Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentA total of 38 impacts were identified on the orbiter window thermal panes. The largest impact feature with a diameter of nearly 1 cm was apparently caused by collision with a small paint particle. Six impacts were found on the radiators with three of these achieving penetration. The largest radiator impact site was approximately three- quarters of a millimeter in extent and was caused by a meteoroid strike. Four other impacts were also discovered: three on the flexible reusable surface insulation (FRSI) covering the external payload bay doors and one on the vertical stabilizer.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 6(2), April 2001, p. 3 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv6i2.pdf
Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-97)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter2000-078A266301 December 2000Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentAlthough the number of identified window impacts decreased to 30, the number of impacts to the radiators and the FRSI (12 and 6, respectively) actually increased compared to the longer duration STS- 92. A total of two windows were replaced. Of the 12 radiator impacts, only one penetrated the thin aluminum sheet, but two struck the silver-teflon-aluminum doubler installed recently to protect the radiator coolant loops. Four additional impacts sites were found on the leading dyes of the orbiter wings.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 6(2), April 2001, p. 3 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv6i2.pdf
Cosmos 539Soviet UnionSfera (Сфера) geodetic satellite1972-102A631921 December 1972Collision with MMOD2002-04-21 00:00:001370km altitudeDecomissionedCourse change and fragmentation of the spacecraftFollowing a probable collision with a MMOD, the satellite underwent a course change and the expulsion of a fragment.Газета "Сибирский спутник", сентябрь 2010 года https://archive.md/20121225161249/kik-sssr.narod.ru/Geodesy.htm#selection-2249.0-2249.46
The fragment has been ejected at a relative velocity of 19m/s and had a diameter between 20 and 50 centimeters. The probability of a collision with a MMOD is high especially due to the speed and orbit of the new debris generated from Cosmos 539.
Also the fact that the orbital period of the spacecraft has been reduced by nearly a second make really probable the collision with an object.
The nature of the object is still unknown, but it must be noted that at that altitude the flux of orbital debris is approximately 10 times that of meteoroids.
Midori II (ADEOS-II)JapanEarth observation satellite2002-056A2759714 December 2002High probable collision with MMOD24 October 2003SSO (800km altitude)ActiveEnd of MissionADEOS-II experienced a severe power failure (from 6kW to 1kW), stopping all mission operations. One of the two main hypotheses into its cause was that a debris impact on the high- power harness carrying current between the single solar array and the satellite bus resulted in a sustained electric arc. The harness consisted of a bundle of wires covered by a sheet of multi- layered insulation (MLI). The other hypothesis is that the malfunction has been due to a solar flare.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 7(3), July 2002, p. 1 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv7i3.pdf https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2003/10/20031031_midori2_e.html
The malfunction led the spacecraft to switch to a light load mode in which all observation equipment is automatically turned off. The operations have never been successfully restored leading to the end of the mission
DMSP 5B F5 R/BUSADerelict THOR 2A rocket body1974-051B721916 March 1974Collision with Space Debris17 January 2005885km altitudeDerelictFragmentation of the spacecraftThe upper portion of a Thor Burner 2A final stage collided with a piece of fragmentation debris (1999-57CV, SSN# 26207) from the March 2000 explosion of the third stage of a Chinese CZ-4 launch vehicle (1999-57C, SSN# 25942). The collision produced less than 10 cataloged debris.Accidental Collisions of Cataloged Satellites Identified”, The Orbital Debris Quarterly News, NASA JSC, April 2005. Available online at https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/ODQNv9i2.pdf.
Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-114)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter2005-026A2877526 July 2005Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incident41 (MMOD) impact sites on the Orbiter during STS-114 post- flight inspections were discovered.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 11(3), July 2007, p.2 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv11i3.pdf. ????
There were 14 MMOD impacts reported on the crew module windows. The largest impact feature, a 6.6 mm x 5.8 mm crater on window #4, was caused by a particle with an estimated diameter of 0.22 mm. The window was removed and replaced. This impact was among the largest ever recorded on a crew module window.
The radiators on the inside of the payload bay doors sustained 19 impacts with one of the impacts causing a face sheet perforation. The 0.61 mm diameter hole was produced by a particle with an estimated diameter of 0.4 mm, which approaches the 0.5-mm critical particle diameter of the wing leading edge reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) panel high-temperature regions (Zone 3, Figure 4) that was established during Return to Flight testing of the RCC panels.
An inspection of the payload bay door exterior insulation (FRSI) revealed a 5.8 mm x 4.5 mm defect that was caused by an MMOD particle with unknown composition, as the sample obtained was contaminated.
Ekspress- AM11Russian FederationGeostationary Communications satellite2004-015A282342004-04-26 00:00:00High probable collision with MMOD28 March 2006GEO (36000km altitude)ActiveEnd of MissionSatellite mission failed 10 years ahead of schedule due to sudden external impact. The cause most probably was space garbage of unknown origin. This impact led to an instant depressurization of the liquid circuit of the thermal regulation system. This provoked a loss of orientation and rotation of the spacecraft. The satellite lost operativity.https://web.archive.org/web/20080530183159/http://www.rscc.ru/ru/news/archive/2006.03.29.html
Once it was understood that the satellite could not be re-established, it was placed in graveyard orbit.https://web.archive.org/web/20080530183203/http://www.rscc.ru/ru/news/archive/2006.03.30.html
Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-115)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter2006-036A293919 September 2006Multiple collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentA large micro- meteoroid/orbital debris (MMOD) impact was found near the hinge line on the #4 starboard payload bay door radiator panel. The features of this impact make it the largest ever recorded on an orbiter payload bay door radiator. Subsequent observations revealed exit damage on the rear facesheet.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 11(3), July 2007, p.2 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv11i3.pdf
Zarya Functional Cargo Block (ISS)Russian FederationISS module1998-067A2554420 November 1998Collision with MMODBefore June 2007LEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentDuring EVA #19 the crew reported damage to the exterior thermal blanket covering the module compressor unit. Because of the shape of the damage, it was thought that the damage was caused by a highly oblique impact from a micro- meteoroid or orbital debris particle.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 11(4), October 2007, p.3 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv11i4.pdf
Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-118)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter2007-035A320088 August 2007Collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentA MMOD impacted and completely penetrated one of shuttle’s radiator panels and the underlying thermal control system (TCS) blanket, leaving deposits on (but no damage to) the payload bay door. The damage from this impact is larger than any previously seen on the shuttle radiator panels.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 12(1), January 2008, p.3 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv12i1.pdf
Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-126)USASpace Shuttle Orbiter2008-059A3344117 November 2008Collision with MMODUnknownLEOActiveMission not affected by the incidentThe crew observed micrometeoroid or orbital debris impact damage to the outer thermal pane of the rightmost flight deck window (window #6).NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 13(2), April 2009, p.3 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv13i2.pdf
Five other window impacts occurred during this mission, these were all smaller and were not observed during the mission.
Based on measurements taken from the digital microscope photographs, the impact produced subsurface damage spanning 12.4 mm by 10.3 mm (measured parallel to the glass surface). The region of excavated surface glass measured from the dental mold impressions (i.e., the crater diameter) spans 11.45 mm by 9.55 mm, with a maximum crater depth of 0.62 mm.
Cosmos 2251Russian FederationStrela-2M (Стрела-2М)1993-036A2267516 June 1993Hypervelocity collision with another satellite10 February 2009LEO (790km altitude)DecomissionedFragmentation of the spacecraftThe collision of Cosmos 2251 and Iridium 33 was noticed by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network only after the event when numerous new objects where detected in the paths of the two spacecrafts. The decomissioned Russian satellite collided with the operational U.S. communications satellite Iridium 33. The two spacecrafts collided at a velocity of more than 11km/s.https://www.iss-reshetnev.ru/spacecraft/spacecraft-communications/strela-2m
The decomissioned Russian satellite collided with the operational U.S. communications satellite Iridium 33. The two spacecrafts collided at a velocity of more than 11km/s.“Satellite Collision Leaves Significant Debris Clouds”, The Orbital Debris Quarterly News, NASA JSC, April 2009. https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv13i2.pdf
The collision occurred in a region of relatively high spatial density and generated an huge amount of debris. Cosmos 2251 after the end of the operation was not moved to a graveyard orbit.
Iridium 33USALM-700 Communications satellite1997-051C2494614 September 1997Hypervelocity collision with another satellite10 February 2009LEO (790km altitude)ActiveEnd of Mission and fragmentation of the spacecraft
GOES-10USAGOES-NEXT environmental satellite1997-019A247861997-04-25 00:00:00Probable collision with MMOD5 September 2011GEO (36110km altitude)DecomissionedOrbital changeThe orbit of the spacecraft abruptly dropped 20 km in perigee. Since no known energy sources remained on GOES-10, the cause of the change in orbit might have been from the impact of an unknown object. Any small debris generated in such a collision would likely not be detectable by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network due to system sensitivity limits at such extreme ranges.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 16(1), January  2012, p.2 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv16i1.pdf
BLITSRussian FederationResearch Nanosatellite2009-049G3587117 September 2009Probable collision with MMOD22 January 2013SSO (832km altitude)ActiveOrbital period change and fragmentation of the spacecraftThe satellite was slightly perturbed from its orbit and shed a piece of debris after apparently being struck by a very small meteoroid or orbital debris.https://earth.esa.int/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/b/blits
The force of the collision reduced the orbital period of BLITS by less than 0.004 minutes. Very soon thereafter, the U.S. Space Surveillance Network (SSN) detected a new object in a similar orbit, but with an orbital period slightly greater (~0.006 min) than the original period of BLITS. This object, with an estimated size of 10 cm, was later cataloged withan International Designator of 2009-049J and a U.S. Satellite Number of 39119.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 17(2), April  2013, p.1 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv17i2.pdf
GOES-13USAGOES-N Environmental satellite2006-081A2915524 May 2006Probable collision with MMOD22 May 2013GEO (35786km altitude)ActiveTemporary failureIt is high probable that a micrometeoroid hit the solar array arm, jolting the spacecraft and causing its instruments to shut down.https://www.wmo-sat.info/oscar/satellites/view/goes_13
The geostationary orbit of the satellite was modified and during the diagnosis of the anomaly it was kept in that new orbit.https://spacenews.com/35715goes-13-back-in-action-after-meteoroid-strike/
The spacecraft returned to normal operation on 10 June 2013.
NEE-01 PegasoEcuador1U CubeSat2013-018B391512013-04-16 00:00:00Probable collision with MMOD23 May 2013SSO (628km altitude)ActiveLoss of attitudeOn 22 May was noticed by U.S. JSOC that a 28- year-old Soviet rocket body (International Designator 1985-058B, U.S. Satellite Number 15890) would come close to Pegaso on 23 May as it passed over the Indian Ocean. Both vehicles would be heading south, Pegaso from east to west and the Soviet rocket body from west to east.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 17(3), July 2013 p.1 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv17i3.pdf
After the conjunction the spacecraft, even if still operative, was no longer in a stable attitude.
Post-conjunction assessments indicated that the rocket body passed under Pegaso at a safe distance, but small particles from the rocket body might have impacted Pegaso and disrupted its very delicate balance.
International Space StationInternationalManned orbital station1998-067A2554420 November 1998Multiple collision with MMOD12 May - 20 June 2014LEOActiveRequired repairsSeveral large areas of damage on radiators and solar arrays that were the result of hypervelocity impacts by micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) were discovered in June 2014. One of the holes found on the P4 Photovoltaic Radiator (PVR measured 13cm long by 10cm wide.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 18(4) October 2014 p. 3 https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv18i4.pdf
Was found also an area of damage on the photovoltaic cells of the ISS 3A solar array wing (SAW). A 7-mm-sized MMOD perforation of the solar array panel broke a bypass diode.This damage caused complete failure of one of the 400-cell strings in the 3A solar array wing.
Another 400-cell string was lost under similar circumstances on the 2A SAW, where an MMOD impact caused the bypass diode to be disconnected resulting in an overheated cell and loss of the string.
Orion EFT-1USAOrion CM-0012014-077A403295 December 2014Multiple collision with MMOD5 December 2014Apogee altitude 5800kmActiveMission not affected by the incidentOn backshell thermal protection system tiles were found 6 potential MMOD impacts.NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, Orbital Debris Quarterly News 19(2) April 2015 p. 6
A total of 42 small window features were found; 27 on the crew module windows and 15 on the hatch windowhttps://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv19i2.pdf
Sentinel 1AEuropeSentinel-12014-061A396342014-04-03 00:00:00Collision with MMOD23 August 2016SSO (693km altitude)ActivePower reduction but mission not affected by the incidentThe spacecraft manifested a sudden small power reduction in a solar array. Board cameras were activated in order to inspection the array and a strike on the solar panel was clearly visible.https://sentinel.esa.int/web/sentinel/missions/sentinel-1
The event had no effect on the satellite’s routine operations since the power reduction was relatively small if compared to the overall power generated by the solar wing that was already higher of what needed for routine operations.http://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-1/Copernicus_Sentinel-1A_satellite_hit_by_space_particle