Posted on 02/08/2008 3:25:12 PM PST by maquiladora
February 8, 2008 -- US 193, the U.S. spy satellite that has failed while in orbit, will crash into the Earth during the first week of March, U.S. officials say.
The only problem is, no one seems to have the faintest idea as to where debris from the 5,000-pound spacecraft will land.
The military satellite was launched in December 2006. It carries a sophisticated and secret imaging sensor. It experienced a power and computer failure almost immediately after entering space.
The satellite has been wandering in orbit in a random path ever since. Without power, the satellite was doomed to eventually crash into the Earth's atmosphere and break up.
The U.S. is worried that pieces of the satellite may land in another country, allowing that nation's leaders to examine secret American technology.
U.S. trackers will have a better idea where US 193 is going when it begins its descent into the atmosphere, 59 miles above the planet. It will burn up from the immense friction with atmospheric molecules and fall within 30 minutes. People on the ground near the entry point may be able to see flares from the craft.
The debris could be scattered over several hundred miles. Some of it could be hazardous. The satellite contains the toxic rocket fuel hydrazine.
Short-term exposure to hydrazine could cause coughin, irritated throat and lungs, convulsions, tremors and seizures. Long-term exposure could damage the liver, kidney and reproductive organs.
Bottom line: if the satellite happens to fall in your neighborhood, don't touch it!
Nope!
if it has a wobble because of not being deployed correctly, such as it’s solar panels only being slightly opened and uneven on each side, and with no rotation to keep it centered around it’s normal mass, then it’s inertia would cause it to wobble and throw off it’s orbit slightly each revolution that has a wobble.
I was kinda wondering...LOL
It’s probably disinformation fed the reporter - the better to keep anyone away from it.
What goes up must come down, however this pesky satellite shouldn't have been so stealthy about it's intentions. ; )
If ASOC is right and this thing is in a polar orbit, then — even though the orbit is not random — the location of the landing might as well be considered random.
And "gloooobal waaaarmin" is an issue of focus? ; )
Call Hillary. She takes one glance at it, and it will bump out of its earthward destination and head to anywhere else.
The hydrazine tanks could potentially survive entry, which could mean that the hydrazine may escape when the tank hits the ground.
The oxidizer (if there is an oxidizer) would be Nitrogen Tetroxide (N2O4) which is also nasty stuff. But lots of satellites don't bother with an oxidizer, they just run hydrazine over a catalyst bed and get propulsion that way. Less fuel efficient, but a whole lot easier.
Could be anywhere. Maybe it will crash on the moon.
Oh, and I'm sure there'll be plenty of debris to go around.
Oh-oh-oh-I can’t stop laughing.
Solar wind would push it unevenly, but the thing is fairly heavy so the effect wouldn’t amount to much.
Maybe we could ask the Chinese to test out their satellite killing equipment again.
if they know exactly when it will de-orbit they could calculate the general area, so as we get closer it’ll get more specific I am sure
or even to deorbit them on purpose to open up spots for working sats
no that would require an enormous amount of fuel, that they don’t have. changing orbits dramatically is very costly
The USAF thinks it is in a polar orbit as well....
You can follow it along from this cool site: http://www.n2yo.com/satellite.php?s=29651
How do I know?
Well - the published data shows:
USA 193 can be found in the following categories:
Military
NORAD ID: 29651
Int'l Code: 2006-057A
Perigee: 408 km
Apogee: 421 km
Inclination: 40°
Period: 92.9 min
Launch date: 2006-12-14
Source: United States (US)
Comments: USA 193 is an American military satellite that was launched from Vandenberg AFB at 21:00 UT on 14 December 2006. It is a highly classified spacecraft, owned and operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). No further details are available. In January 2008, reports emerged that a U.S. spy satellite, again probably this one, was in a deteriorating orbit, and that the object was expected to crash into the Earth within weeks.
Early reports indicated that the satellite could contain "hazardous materials", probably hydrazine, and possibly beryllium,though there was also some speculation that the satellite might have a "nuclear" power core, i.e. a radioisotope thermoelectric generator. Defense consultant John E. Pike dismissed this as "unlikely". (according to Wikipedia)
On January 29, 2008, an Associated Press story quoted a U.S. Air Force general as saying that contingency plans were being made since intact pieces of the satellite "might re-enter into the North American area".
The lazy a$$ reporter could have taken 10 min and added some facts to the story - but that would have been too much. OY!
Most of the launchs from Vandyland are polar orbiting birds
Your last line sounds just like a gaseous emission from Al Gore’s butt would be.
So that’s how global warming works!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.