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Satellites inventory

The satellites inventory, developed by the Union of Concerned Scientists and released Wednesday, indicates the United States has 413 active satellites in space. That’s more than the 382 the rest of the world has spinning above the Earth

The group’s inventory lists 21 different details on satellites with missions ranging from weather forecasting to transmitting music and news for companies like Sirius Satellite Radio. Perhaps most controversially, the repository includes what’s known about top-secret spy satellites run by the U.S. and other governments.

The Russians, who follow the U.S. in total number, have 87. The Chinese have 34. The numbers are approximations that may vary depending on how joint ventures are counted.

While it did not provide precise orbits that would enable someone to find a satellite at any moment, the union’s database does give other closely held information.

The inventory also provides details about a highly classified $1 billion satellite, known as Misty-2, including its expected life span of more than 5 years and May 22, 1999, launch date.

posted by: kyawoo at 10:44 | link | comments |
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