Collision in Space

In what is very likely a first, and accidental satellite to satellite collision has taken place in nearly 500 miles up. A Russian communications relay station spacecraft Cosmos 2251 has been non operation for a decade. It collided with a functioning United States commercial satellite owned by Iridium, Bethesda, Md. The company said that their service will not be interrupted because of overlay set up in case one of the satellites went dark. The two debris clouds do not appear to be a threat to the International Space Station, but it will take a couple of days to get a clear picture of the debris.

More at http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0902/11iridium and http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123438921888374497.html.