Analysis of Observations of OLYMP K-1 (2014-058A / 40258) after the fragmentation Event of 2026-01-30

Kurzfassung

On Friday January 30th, 2026, the satellite OLYMP K-1 (COPSPAR 2014-058A, NORAD 40258) experienced a fragmentation event, which was caught on camera by chance. Shortly after this event, DLR’s telescopes participating in the global telescope network SMARTnet observed the satellite and a number of its fragments. Observations focused on three key tasks: follow-up observations of the satellite itself, surveys in the vicinity for the search for newly generated resident space objects (RSOs) that are related to the event, and estimation of the rotation parameters of the main body via high-cadence light curve observations. The observations were performed in the following weeks after the event. We describe the data we obtained, the acquisition methods, and the first analysis results. While followup and light curve observations were based on publicly available Two-Line Elements (TLEs) Sets, the search for new RSOs followed a newly developed survey strategy based on the NASA Standard Breakup Model. We obtained several tracklets of RSOs in the vicinity of OLYMP K-1 which did not have representations in a publicly available object catalogue. Initial orbits and – where possible – improved orbits were determined. A statistical analysis of the distribution has been performed. Furthermore, with the light curve observations, we estimate the initial rotation period and the evolution thereof.