# AVUM debris (adapter)

> space debris from an AVUM rocket stage adapter

**Wikidata**: [Q111471158](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111471158)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/avum-debris-adapter

## Summary
AVUM debris (adapter) refers to space debris originating from the AVUM rocket stage adapter that detached during the Vega flight VV10 launch on August 2, 2017, from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega in French Guiana. This artificial space object orbited Earth until it re-entered the atmosphere on September 11, 2020.

## Key Facts
- AVUM debris (adapter) is an instance of space debris that originated from an AVUM rocket stage adapter
- It was launched on August 2, 2017 at 01:58:33 UTC
- The launch was part of Vega flight VV10 from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega launch facility
- Its COSPAR ID is 2017-044C
- It decayed from orbit on September 11, 2020
- It is classified as both space debris and a former entity
- The object had aliases including AVUM DEB(ADAPTOR) and AVUM DEB (ADAPTOR)
- It is registered with SCN number 42902
- The debris was part of the AVUM propulsion system

## FAQs
### Q: What is AVUM debris (adapter)?
A: AVUM debris (adapter) refers to a piece of artificial space debris that came from the AVUM (Attitude and Vernier Upper Module) rocket stage adapter. It was part of a Vega rocket's upper stage that separated after launch, creating this object in orbit.

### Q: When and where was AVUM debris (adapter) launched?
A: AVUM debris (adapter) was launched on August 2, 2017 at 01:58:33 UTC from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega launch facility in French Guiana as part of Vega flight VV10.

### Q: When did AVUM debris (adapter) re-enter Earth's atmosphere?
A: AVUM debris (adapter) re-entered Earth's atmosphere and decayed from orbit on September 11, 2020, approximately three years after its initial launch.

### Q: How is AVUM debris (adapter) identified in space tracking databases?
A: AVUM debris (adapter) is tracked under its COSPAR ID 2017-044C and SCN number 42902. It also appears in satellite tracking databases with the aliases AVUM DEB(ADAPTOR) and AVUM DEB (ADAPTOR).

## Why It Matters
AVUM debris (adapter) represents a typical example of space debris created during orbital launches, highlighting the growing challenge of orbital debris management in the space industry. As an artificial object that remained in orbit for approximately three years before re-entry, it contributes to the broader conversation about space sustainability and the long-term environmental impact of space activities. This particular debris is particularly relevant as it demonstrates the consistent creation of additional objects beyond the primary payload during launches, complicating tracking and increasing collision risks in low Earth orbit. Understanding the lifecycle of such debris, from creation to eventual atmospheric decay, is crucial for developing effective space traffic management protocols and designing future launch systems that minimize space debris generation.

## Notable For
- AVUM debris (adapter) is specifically associated with the AVUM propulsion system of European Vega rockets, which is used for attitude control and orbital maneuvers
- It has a relatively short orbital lifetime of approximately three years compared to some other space debris that can persist for decades
- The debris is identifiable through its specific COSPAR ID (2017-044C) and SCN number (42902), making it a precisely trackable object in space surveillance networks
- It represents a specific type of mission-related debris that separates from the main rocket body rather than originating from a payload breakup

## Body
### Identification and Classification
AVUM debris (adapter) is formally classified as both space debris and a former entity in space tracking databases. It bears the unique designation of SCN 42902 and carries the aliases AVUM DEB(ADAPTOR) and AVUM DEB (ADAPTOR). The object's COSPAR ID (2017-044C) indicates it was the third cataloged object from the 2017 launch cycle.

### Launch and Initial Mission
The debris originated from Vega flight VV10, which launched on August 2, 2017 at 01:58:33 UTC. The launch took place from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega facility, located in French Guiana. The AVUM (Attitude and Vernier Upper Module) adapter separated from the rocket during this mission, creating this specific piece of space debris. As part of the Vega launch vehicle, the adapter fulfilled its structural function before becoming an independent artificial object in Earth orbit.

### Orbital Characteristics and Decay
AVUM debris (adapter) maintained orbit as a defunct artificial object until it experienced atmospheric re-entry on September 11, 2020. This re-entry marked the end of its approximately three-year orbital lifetime. The object's decay was documented in satellite tracking databases, confirming its complete removal from the space environment.

### Tracking and Monitoring
The debris is registered in multiple space tracking systems, including the Wolfram satellite database with Entity["Satellite", "42902"]. Its complete orbital trajectory and re-entry event have been verified through multiple sources, demonstrating comprehensive space situational awareness capabilities for tracking even relatively small pieces of space debris.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=42902)