EXOMARS probe seen surrounded by unexpected objects

Yep, something surprising [usually means BAD] on the first telescope views of the EXOMARS probe headed out from earth.

www.slate.com...

Extra objects drifting along beside it.

Probably an unplanned explosion of the upper stage. No indications of damage to the spacecraft, so far.

Never a dull moment.

yea. exciting.
now back to earth... where we should spend money and brain power first... then maybe shift to space exploration.

maybe whatever we're looking for in space will find us once we become 'visible'.

a reply to: JimOberg

The article mentions that it is debris from the upper stage. I'm no expert, but I'm guessing it's traveling at the same rate as the probe. Maybe it's expected and just continues on as they slow the probe into orbit. I hope so - it's an exciting mission, and a long reset period if it doesn't make it safely to it's destination!

a reply to: JimOberg

The update on the link suggests that the upper proton stage exploded, causing the debris.

The following is an extract from the linked article in the update.

Shortly after the separation between ExoMars and the spent Briz-M, the probe called home, and the ground control center in Darmstadt, Germany, confirmed the mission was on a path to Mars. However, astronomers tracking the flight soon spotted a cloud of debris accompanying ExoMars in space. As many as six large pieces of space junk appeared on the photos taken

www.popularmechanics.com...

Fascinating images Jim. I was trying to take some images of it myself, but wasn't able to find the outbound trajectory information anywhere. Does ESA have any kind of site equivalent to JPL's HORIZONS system? In my experience, NASA's usually really good about putting the predicted trajectories of their solar system missions on HORIZONS before they're launched, but ESA seems to be hit or miss on that.

a reply to: JimOberg

C'mon Jim...You need to frame this thread in a way similar to the way the TV show 'NASA's Unexplained Files" (of which you are a contributor) would frame it. Something such as...

[Narrator]: "Using deep space telescopes, scientists on Earth look at one of our recently launched space probes on its way to Mars, and are shocked with what they see. The unexpectedly spot several unidentified objects that aren't supposed to be there flying in formation with the space probe."...

At which point, they could go to one of their talking heads, who adds:

"We don't expect anything else to be out there with the spacecraft, so the question you have to ask yourself when you see these things is 'Who or what is following one of our space probes to Mars?'"

And then offer up two explanations: One involving curious aliens who are trying to discern Earth's technological prowess by seeing what we are sending into space, and a second explanation involving it being pieces of the exploded upper stage of the launch vehicle.

You need to have a little more fun with it. I guarantee many more ATS stars and flags if you did!

Sounds like the upper stage blew up before it could fire its thrusters to park itself in a "graveyard orbit" to keep it away from Mars. www.popularmechanics.com...

Those pieces will evidently follow the spacecraft to Mars.

a reply to: Soylent Green Is People

Well now, that was quick. Already debunking something that hasn't even been posited yet? Curiosity being the cat and all, I am wondering what led you to such a post?

originally posted by: Jonjonj
a reply to: Soylent Green Is People

Well now, that was quick. Already debunking something that hasn't even been posited yet? Curiosity being the cat and all, I am wondering what led you to such a post?

It's a space story, not a UFO story -- that's where I posted it. But it's news because the unexpected explosion could have -- perhaps did -- hit Exomars with shrapnel and nobody knows it yet.

a reply to: JimOberg

My post was directed to a specific person Jim, not to you. I also said posited, not posted. I am glad you posted the story. All space stories are fascinating to me so thanks for that.

But how did one piece get in front of the probe?. And if the debris was ejected forward of the probe then surely mission control would have noticed a slight increase in the speed of the probe if there was a unexpected explosion. A explosion big enough to blast pieces of debris forward of the probe. ?

I need answers. I demand to know the truth.

This is exciting for me at least. I have never seen chinese lanterns travelling that far out in space.

One things for sure, whatever is escorting the probe, we shall never know.

Kind regards,

Bally.

originally posted by: Soylent Green Is People
a reply to: JimOberg

C'mon Jim...You need to frame this thread in a way similar to the way the TV show 'NASA's Unexplained Files" (of which you are a contributor) would frame it. Something such as...

[Narrator]: "Using deep space telescopes, scientists on Earth look at one of our recently launched space probes on its way to Mars, and are shocked with what they see. The unexpectedly spot several unidentified objects that aren't supposed to be there flying in formation with the space probe."...

At which point, they could go to one of their talking heads, who adds:

"We don't expect anything else to be out there with the spacecraft, so the question you have to ask yourself when you see these things is 'Who or what is following one of our space probes to Mars?'"

And then offer up two explanations: One involving curious aliens who are trying to discern Earth's technological prowess by seeing what we are sending into space, and a second explanation involving it being pieces of the exploded upper stage of the launch vehicle.

You need to have a little more fun with it. I guarantee many more ATS stars and flags if you did!

very humorous Soylent...as for flags...it goes vice versa. Sometimes you just need the right avatar.

a reply to: MarioOnTheFly

Strewth mate, I like Jim's avatar. It speaks volumes.

Kind regards,

Bally

originally posted by: odzeandennz

now back to earth... where we should spend money and brain power first... then maybe shift to space exploration.

given how humans are, and by looking at the budget of the US alone.

they already are spending majority of money and brain power on earth.

so even if they spend the, by comparison, small budget they spend on space ventures it will only speed up the process by which humans try to kill other humans albeit insignificantly.

originally posted by: bally001
a reply to: MarioOnTheFly

Strewth mate, I like Jim's avatar. It speaks volumes.

Kind regards,

Bally

It's mysterious...isn't it.

originally posted by: Soloprotocol
But how did one piece get in front of the probe?. And if the debris was ejected forward of the probe then surely mission control would have noticed a slight increase in the speed of the probe if there was a unexpected explosion. A explosion big enough to blast pieces of debris forward of the probe. ?

I need answers. I demand to know the truth.

The spacecraft was not still attached to the Briz-M booster when the Booster allegedly exploded; they had already separated. So an exploding Briz-M booster may not have had an effect on the trajectory of the ExoMars spacecraft.

But if ExoMars and the booster were traveling at similar speed (although ExoMars would be slightly faster and ahead of the Briz-M after separation), it is possible for the explosion of the Briz-M to send pieces on a trajectory similar to the ExoMars spacecraft and at a velocity slightly faster than ExoMars, fast enough for one of those pieces to eventually pass ExoMars, as seen from our viewpoint -- which may be what we are seeing here.

originally posted by: Soloprotocol
But how did one piece get in front of the probe?

It's probalby a trick of the perspective. The debris at the front could actually be at the side, or even slightly behind, the probe.

And if the debris was ejected forward of the probe then surely mission control would have noticed a slight increase in the speed of the probe if there was a unexpected explosion.

Unless some pieces actually impacted the probe, or unless there was a strong blast of gas, the probe should have remained unaffected.