# BLITS

> Russian satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q8876084](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8876084)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BLITS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/blits

## Summary
BLITS is a Russian passive satellite launched on September 17, 2009, as part of a debris-strike experiment. It weighed 7.53 kilograms and was designed to test the effects of orbital debris collisions. The satellite was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-2.1b rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Launch date**: September 17, 2009, at 15:55:07 UTC
- **Mass**: 7.53 kilograms
- **Launch vehicle**: Soyuz-2.1b (serial number Ts15000-002)
- **Launch site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Operator**: Roscosmos State Corporation
- **Classification**: Passive satellite, artificial satellite of the Earth
- **Orbital inclination**: 98.8 degrees
- **Significant event**: Debris strike on January 22, 2013, resulting in fragmentation
- **Preceded by**: UGATUSAT (Russian nanosatellite)
- **COSPAR ID**: 2009-049G

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the BLITS satellite?
A: BLITS was a passive satellite designed to test the effects of orbital debris collisions. It was struck by debris on January 22, 2013, leading to fragmentation.

### Q: Who operated the BLITS satellite?
A: The BLITS satellite was operated by the Roscosmos State Corporation, the Russian federal space agency.

### Q: What type of rocket was used to launch BLITS?
A: BLITS was launched using a Soyuz-2.1b rocket, specifically serial number Ts15000-002, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

### Q: What was the orbital inclination of BLITS?
A: BLITS had an orbital inclination of 98.8 degrees.

### Q: What happened to BLITS after its launch?
A: On January 22, 2013, BLITS was struck by orbital debris, causing it to fragment.

## Why It Matters
BLITS played a crucial role in space debris research by serving as a target for debris-strike experiments. Its passive design made it an ideal candidate for studying the effects of collisions with orbital debris. The satellite's fragmentation event provided valuable data for understanding the risks posed by space junk. As space debris becomes an increasingly critical issue, BLITS's contributions to this field highlight the importance of testing and mitigating the dangers of orbital collisions.

## Notable For
- **Debris-strike experiment**: BLITS was specifically designed to test the effects of orbital debris collisions.
- **Passive satellite**: Unlike active satellites, BLITS did not generate or emit energy, making it a suitable target for debris impact studies.
- **Fragmentation event**: The satellite's destruction in 2013 provided real-world data on the consequences of space debris collisions.
- **Soyuz-2.1b launch**: BLITS was launched using a Soyuz-2.1b rocket, demonstrating the versatility of this launch vehicle for small satellites.

## Body
### Overview
BLITS (Russian for "flash") was a Russian passive satellite launched on September 17, 2009, as part of a debris-strike experiment. Weighing 7.53 kilograms, it was designed to test the effects of orbital debris collisions. The satellite was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-2.1b rocket, specifically serial number Ts15000-002.

### Launch and Orbit
BLITS was launched on September 17, 2009, at 15:55:07 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31. It had an orbital inclination of 98.8 degrees, typical for satellites launched from this site. The satellite was operated by Roscosmos State Corporation, the Russian federal space agency.

### Purpose and Design
BLITS was a passive satellite, meaning it did not generate or emit energy. Its design made it an ideal target for debris-strike experiments. The satellite was part of a series of tests aimed at understanding the risks posed by orbital debris.

### Significant Events
On January 22, 2013, BLITS was struck by orbital debris, resulting in fragmentation. This event provided valuable data for studying the effects of space debris collisions. The satellite's destruction highlighted the growing threat of space junk to operational satellites.

### Legacy
BLITS's contributions to space debris research have been significant. Its fragmentation event provided real-world data that has informed efforts to mitigate the risks of orbital collisions. The satellite's role in debris-strike experiments underscores the importance of testing and understanding the effects of space debris.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/09/tech/satellite-hit)
3. [Source](http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/blits.htm)