Close Call: US and Russian Satellites Avoid Collision Above Earth

NASA's TIMED spacecraft and the defunct Russian Cosmos 2221 narrowly avoided a collision in low Earth orbit, coming within 66 feet of each other. The incident highlights the growing concerns over space debris and the need for improved monitoring and mitigation strategies to ensure the safety of current and future space missions. With the potential for significant debris generation and increased collision risks, there is a pressing need for better space traffic coordination processes and technologies. This near miss underscores the importance of addressing space debris and implementing measures to reduce the risk of future collisions.