(121659) Blairrussell Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 5 December 1999 by CSS at Catalina.
Blair Russell (b. 1970) provided mechanical engineering oversight of hardware development for the OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission. Working closely with spacecraft and instrument teams, he ensured a robust, structurally sound mechanical system. Prior to this work he supported the GPM and JWST Missions.Naming citation (MPC batch dated 2016-08-18), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Blairrussell is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Blairrussell is 2.86 au from the Sun and 2.89 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 121659 |
| Provisional designation | 1999 XX10 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.30 km (#12,057 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.219 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.47 |
| Orbital period | 5.63 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.16 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.40 – 3.92 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.240 |
| Inclination | 15.7° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.44 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Blair
All asteroids named after someone called Blair
Also discovered on 5 December 1999
- (13858) Ericchristensen
- (14232) Curtismiller
- (14682) Davidhirsch
- (16112) Vitaris
- (20711) Seijisugita
- (20712) Shashiganesh
- (20725) Juliuscsotonyi
- (21989) Werntz
- (22022) Gould
- (22025) Dorisdaou
- (22026) Lindabillings
- (22027) Romanakofler