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!
As a photography buff I'll bet that imaging sensor would make a great upgrade to my current camera!
Ya, I suppose so - a good education can be a burden at times I suppose....
Still, anyone taking bets? It could come down in my backyard - and I could use some bling.......
It would be great if it came down somewhere around here but it sure would not be great to land in my yard. My neighbor might want it for his collection if it comes down over there, but he wouldn’t appreciate 200 soldiers and EPA and DOE and not to mention some DOD agency we never heard of and never will taking up residence in his dogyard for the next year or decade.
I’ll be happy to rent the space to them....
I was on enough ac accident cleanups at Nellis over the years to know what to expec.
I have a large park across the street from me, maybe
i’ll get luckier...
I’ll be happy to rent the space to them....
I was on enough ac accident cleanups at Nellis over the years to know what to expec.
I have a large park across the street from me, maybe
i’ll get luckier...
I’ll be happy to rent the space to them....
I was on enough ac accident cleanups at Nellis over the years to know what to expec.
I have a large park across the street from me, maybe
i’ll get luckier...
LOLOLOLOL - I like that, although I regret the loss of the carpet.
You, um, are stuttering.
Besides. I’m old (sort a) and have carpal tunnel eyesight and everything......
exscuses, exscuses - your eyes are the same age as mine, if I recall.
Now, one of us had better learn how to spell.
Since I am the mathematician, and you are ... um, something else...I leave it to you.
That last submission is horrid - I was so exhausted, I reverted to bullet points at the end.
But it seems the girls like it.
I actually turned down an offered piece for one of my long time editors - one that pays on acceptance!!!!! I will work a second that has a longer deadline.
I fell on the ice out on the driveway and totally hosed both of my shoulders. It hurts just to type, let alone for long periods.
Oh, ow. Sorry to hear that.
In short -- you can lookee, but don't touchee!
Should I bother paying my mortgage?
The real bummer is right now I am sleeping out on the recliner - cannot stand to sleep on my side.
Wife gives me a kiss, pulls up the blanket and then goes off to bed - me - I just squirm to find the least painful position to sleep.
To be fair, it has been getting better, but I know it will take a whle to heal completely.
Ah - to be 16 again.
If your house isn’t on Earth, yeah. If it’s on Earth, not sure.
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