Effects of the West Ford belt on astronomical observations

The West Ford dipole package placed in orbit in May 1963 contained 4.8×10⁸copper wires, each 1.78 cm long and 0.00178 cm in diameter. Radar and optical observations indicate that about 25 to 50 per cent of these are orbiting as individual dipoles. They will cease to orbit within five years. The remainder is in the form of various-sized clusters each composed of electrically connected dipoles. The orbital lifetime of most of these clusters will be less than ten years; some, however, will orbit indefinitely. The individual and the clustered dipoles never interfered with any astronomical observations. Collisions between spacecraft and either individual dipoles or clusters are improbable. The effects of the unsuccessful 1961 West Ford experiment are completely negligible.