Iran plane crash wreckage spotted from space (satellite photos)

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The plane went down early Wednesday (Jan. 8), killing all 176 people aboard.

This annotated image, captured by Maxar Technologies’ WorldView-1 satellite on Jan. 9, 2020, shows debris from the Ukrainian airliner that crashed in Iran a day earlier, killing all 176 people aboard.
This annotated image, captured by Maxar Technologies’ WorldView-1 satellite on Jan. 9, 2020, shows debris from the Ukrainian airliner that crashed in Iran a day earlier, killing all 176 people aboard. (Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

Sharp-eyed satellites have spotted debris from the Ukrainian airliner that went down in Iran early Wednesday morning (Jan. 8).

The photos were snapped yesterday (Jan. 9) by the WorldView-1 and WorldView-2 satellites, which are operated by DigitalGlobe, a subsidiary of Colorado-based Maxar Technologies.

Both of these spacecraft can capture imagery with a resolution of about 18 inches (50 centimeters), though they fly at different altitudes. WorldView-1, which launched in 2007, circles Earth about 310 miles (500 kilometers) up; WorldView-2, which was lofted in 2009, orbits 480 miles (770 km) above our heads.

Related: Photos: Amazing Images of Earth from Space

This annotated color infrared image, captured by Maxar Technologies’ WorldView-2 satellite on Jan. 9, 2020, shows debris from the Ukrainian airliner that crashed in Iran a day earlier, killing all 176 people aboard.  (Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

The plane, a Boeing 737 operated by Ukraine International Airlines, crashed shortly after taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, the capital of Iran, on a planned flight to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. All 176 people on board were killed.

Officials in the United States and allied countries have said that it appears Iran shot down the plane, perhaps mistaking it for an enemy craft in a "fog of war" scenario. 

Tensions between Iran and the U.S. have been high since an American drone strike killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani last week. Iran retaliated Tuesday night (Jan. 7), striking with missiles two Iraqi sites that house U.S. troops (though these attacks caused no casualties, U.S. officials said). The passenger plane crashed just hours after those missile strikes were launched.

Iranian officials have denied responsibility for the plane crash, claiming that the U.S. is "spreading lies" about the intelligence that pins the blame on the regime, according to CBS News.

Mike Wall's book about the search for alien life, "Out There" (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate), is out now. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook. 

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Mike Wall
Mike Wall
Senior Space Writer

Michael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with Space.com and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, "Out There," was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist. He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. To find out what his latest project is, you can follow Michael on Twitter.

3 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Sam
    I am confused. The ground image I have, which can can be found with a search, shows the whole tail section and a large part of the fuselage up against a large house. Where is it? OK they removed the aircraft wreckage and the house also? I suppose they might need the house in the investigation, besides the wreckage. That or this arrow is not where the tail section was found. Something was wrong and at least I found it. I apologize to everyone. I made a mistake. I finally noticed the plane was a shoulder wing while the 737 is a low wing. Darn it. Good analysis for that shoot down though as it did get by a missile. That image is gone. If I find a good one I will just use the same writing.
    Reply
  • rod
    Admin said:
    Sharp-eyed satellites have spotted debris from the Ukrainian airliner that went down in Iran early Wednesday morning (Jan. 8).

    Iran Plane Crash Wreckage Spotted from Space (Satellite Photos) : Read more

    "Iranian officials have denied responsibility for the plane crash, claiming that the U.S. is "spreading lies" about the intelligence that pins the blame on the regime, according to CBS News."

    This morning I watched FoxNews - CBS report is wrong. Iran now admits they shot down the plane. Who is reporting *fake news*?
    Reply
  • GeoXXX
    Gotta be impressed by those vaunted armed forces of Iran, only took them two missiles to take down an airliner!
    Reply