Near miss/collision between two retired satellites?

[Flyaway]

The problem here is the near miss distance could be within the length of the gravity gradient booms on the NRO satellite as you can see from this Tweet.

The NASA/NIVR IRAS satellite and the NRO/USN POPPY 5B satellite (aka GGSE 4) are predicted to make a close approach on Wednesday. POPPY 5B has 18-metre-long gravity gradient booms so a 15-to-30 metre predicted miss distance is alarming https://t.co/H1UckcoaAH

— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) January 27, 2020

Our latest data on the IRAS / GGSE 4 event shows potential miss distances of 13-87 meters, with a lowered collision probability currently at 1 in 1000. Time of closest approach remains at 2020-01-29 23:39:35.707 UTC

— LeoLabs (@LeoLabs_Space) January 28, 2020

And this is who LeoLabs are:

LeoLabs | Persistent Orbital Intelligence Propelling the dynamic space era

LeoLabs is transforming low Earth orbit through LeoLabs Vertex™ — the world’s first vertically integrated commercial space operations stack.

www.leolabs.space

 

[Flyaway]

 

[Grey Havoc]

Beat me to it with that video.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1222691732912869376

 

[Grey Havoc]

@18SPCS confirmed the 2 inactive satellites (IRSA & GGSE-4) crossed paths without incident. 18th SPCS monitors space debris 24/7/365 & issues conjunction notifications every day to all Nations to support space flight safety. #KeepSpaceSafe pic.twitter.com/vijr6KH7hC

— U.S. Space Command (@US_SpaceCom) January 30, 2020

Randy Phelps‏ @RandyLPhelps 7h7 hours ago
Replying to [U]@[B]US_SpaceCom[/B][/U] [U]@[B]nycsouthpaw[/B][/U] [U]@[B]18SPCS[/B][/U]
Um, US Space Command can’t even get the acronym for the InfraRed Astronomy Satellite (IRAS not IRSA), a satellite whose data I used, correct.

 

[FighterJock]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1222691732912869376

Randy Phelps‏ @RandyLPhelps 7h7 hours ago
Replying to [U]@[B]US_SpaceCom[/B][/U] [U]@[B]nycsouthpaw[/B][/U] [U]@[B]18SPCS[/B][/U]
Um, US Space Command can’t even get the acronym for the InfraRed Astronomy Satellite (IRAS not IRSA), a satellite whose data I used, correct.

As Homer Simpson would say. Doh!

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1222702451951837185