RUSSIA’S launch of a classified spacecraft has failed and it’s going to come crashing back to Earth, according to reports.
Space journalist Anatoly Zak says the “classified payload” was put into orbit last month but the mission has since failed.
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Zak often covers Russia’s space endeavours for Russian Space Web.
He recently tweeted: “A classified payload, delivered into orbit in the first launch of the Angara-1 rocket last month, appears to be inactive and will fall back to Earth without maneuvers.”
It’s thought the payload is a Russian satellite that was launched by the Angara-1.2 rocket in April.
Last month’s launch was said to be the orbital debut of the Angara-1.2 rocket, which is part of a group of rockets that Russia has been working on since the 1990s.
Russia even confirmed the launch of a new military spacecraft called Kosmos 2555, which was supposed to orbit around the Earth.
According to Space Flight Now, the rocket and payload had the letter “Z” emblazoned on them.
That symbol has been used by Russia to show support for the invasion of Ukraine.
It should now come crashing back to Earth at an undisclosed date.
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Most satellites burn up if they fall back to Earth.
However, there are occasions when a craft in orbit is too big to burn up fully.
If this happens, spacecraft operators have a responsibility to make sure the object lands where it can’t hurt anyone.
Nasa explains on its website: “There is a solution—spacecraft operators can plan for the final destination of their old satellites to make sure that any debris falls into a remote area.
“This place even has a nickname—the Spacecraft Cemetery! It’s in the Pacific Ocean and is pretty much the farthest place from any human civilization you can find.”
It’s currently unclear where the Russian satellite will fall if it does crash back to Earth.
Russia is said to have more Angara 1.2 flights planned for 2022.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
