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2012 DA14 is a near-Earth asteroid with an estimated diameter of 50 meters (160 ft) and an estimated mass of 190,000 metric tons. During its 2013 close passage, the asteroid passed 27,700 km (17,200 mi) from the surface of Earth. This is a record close approach for a known object of this size. The asteroid was discovered on February 23, 2012, by the Observatorio Astronómico de La Sagra, Granada in Spain (J75) seven days after passing 0.0174 AU (2,600,000 km; 1,620,000 mi) from Earth. In 2012 there was a cumulative 0.033% risk estimate (1 in 3,030) of 2012 DA14 impacting Earth sometime between 2026 and 2069. In 2012 it was also known that the asteroid would pass no closer to Earth\’s surface than 3.2 Earth radii during the 2013 passage.

On January 9, 2013, the asteroid was observed again by Las Campanas Observatory and the observation arc increased from 79 days to 321 days. On February 15, 2013 at 19:25 Universal Time, the asteroid passed 0.0002276 AU (34,050 km; 21,160 mi) from the center-point of Earth, with an uncertainty region of about 0.0000001 AU (15 km; 9.3 mi). It passed 27,743 kilometers (17,239 mi) above Earth\’s surface, closer than satellites in geosynchronous orbit. It was not visible to the naked eye, but it briefly peaked at an apparent magnitude of roughly 7.2. The best observation location for the closest approach was Indonesia. Eastern Europe, Asia, and Australia also were well situated from which to observe the asteroid during its closest approach. The asteroid was not expected to pass any closer than 1950 km to any satellites. Goldstone Observatory will observe 2012 DA14 with radar from February 16 to February 20.
The close approach to Earth reduced the orbital period of 2012 DA14 from 368 days to 317 days, and perturbed it from the Apollo class to the Aten class of near-Earth asteroids. Its next notable close approach to Earth will be on 15 February 2046 when it will pass no closer than 0.014 AU (2,100,000 km; 1,300,000 mi) from the center-point of Earth.

Source: Wikipedia

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NASA dixit:

“The Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) atop an Atlas V rocket was launched successfully from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 1:02 p.m. EST on Monday, Feb. 11. LDCM is a collaboration between NASA and the Department of the Interior\’s U.S. Geological Survey. The mission will continue the Landsat program\’s 40-year continuous data record by Earth\’s landscapes by satellite from space. LDCM will expand and improve on that record with observations that advance a wide range of Earth sciences and contribute to the management of agriculture, water and forest resources.”

Credit: NASA

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On February 11, 2013, an automated Russian cargo ship, Progress M-18M, docked to the International Space Station six hours after its launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Progress carried more than 2.5 tonnes of cargo: scientific equipment and spare parts for the station, fuel to maintain station orbit, food, water, and air for the station crew.

Credit: NASA / Roscosmos

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The Progress M-17M resupply spacecraft, which arrived at the station last August, departed the Pirs docking compartment, part of the Russian segment, on Saturday, February 9, 2013. The Progress left orbit three hours later and burned up above the Pacific Ocean.

Credit: NASA / Roscosmos

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On February 6, 2013, a Soyuz-2-1A/Fregat launch vehicle lifted off from Baikonur with a cluster of six second-generation Globalstar satellites. This launch completed the deployment of the second-generation fleet of satellites. Globalstar provides satellite phone and low-speed data communications services.

Credit: Roscosmos

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NASA dixit:

“NASA is preparing to launch the first in a series of three third generation advanced Tracking and Data Relay Satellites, known as TDRS-K. This latest addition to the fleet of seven will augment a space communications network that provides the critical path for high data-rate communication to the International Space Station, Hubble Space Telescope, past shuttle missions and a host of other spacecraft. It has been 10 years since NASA last launched a TDRS. This launch is the beginning of a welcome replenishment to the space network, which has served numerous national and international space missions since 1983.”

Credit: NASA

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