Another out-of-control three ton satelite is hurtling towards the Earth
October 12th 2011 04:43
Category: Space Probes
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Here we go again time to check you insurance policies, perhaps invest in a hard hat.
There is a tremendous amount of dead space hardware, ranging from small nut and bolts to larger fragments of discarded satellites and space launch vehicles.
Most of it falls to earth without causing any problems some of it is seen as streaking flashes of light in the night sky, much like a meteor.
UARS crashed somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. It is believed to have landed halfway between Australia and Hawaii on September 24, but no one was reported any sightings or injuries by the failed space junk.
Previously the thought of being struck by a piece of falling space debris was almost nonexistent. Skylab changed that perception way back in 1979.
Five decades later there is a lot of traffic whizzing above our atmosphere. More ”stuff” will continue to fall to earth as aging satellites orbital parameters start to decay.
We now have another satellite heading straight for Earth and is expected to crash within the next few weeks, according to space agency German Aerospace Centre (DLR).
The 3 tonne craft will hit the earth in late October to early November. The satellite is expected to enter the earth’s atmosphere and burn up on re- entry. As many as 30 fragments will land somewhere on earth.
The odds of ROSAT are much higher than the one in 3200 chance we had of being hit by the last piece of space junk from NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), which fell to Earth in September.
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It is still to early to say where and exactly when this satellite will come down.
A more detailed calculation will need to be made in the next few weeks as each orbit the satellite makes will be affected by the drag of the Earth’s upper atmosphere.
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Seriously, it amazes me that there has been no damage from all the things that fall from the sky. Being a planet of mostly water is a very good thing.
Comment by CMoreStars
Astroearth
Camera Sense
Having a planet that has a large ocean expanse does have advantages. It’s only a matter of odds,some day someone will probably get a big surprise as pieces will eventually strike a populated area.