📘 Definition
A fragmentation event occurs when a space object breaks apart into multiple trackable pieces. Causes include propellant tank or pressurant explosions, battery thermal runaway, deliberate destruction (anti-satellite weapons tests), and collisions with other objects or debris. Over 650 fragmentation events have been recorded. The worst was China's 2007 ASAT test, which destroyed the Fengyun-1C satellite and created 3,500+ trackable fragments. The 2009 Iridium-Cosmos collision produced 2,000 fragments. Passivation rules were created specifically to prevent explosion-type fragmentation.
650+
Total Events
Fengyun-1C (2007): 3,500+ fragments
Worst Event
Iridium-Cosmos (2009): 2,000
2nd Worst
Propellant/battery explosion
Most Common Cause