More Space Junk to Hit Earth
December 28th 2011 05:20
Category: Space Probes
Image courtesy of Skywatcher Ralf Vandebergh of the stranded Russian Mars probe Phobos-Grunt on Nov. 29, 2011, from the southern Netherlands, using a 10 inch telescope.
While we are on the subject of space junk The Failed Russian Mars probe Phobos-Grunt is due to burn up in the upper Earth’s atmosphere in early January 2012.
The space probe was originally designed to land on the Martian moon Phobos, one of two moons circling Mars. Its purpose was to gather rock and soil samples before returning to Earth in 2014.After a successful launch into Earth orbit in November 2011 the primary engines failed to ignite, leaving the probe literally “dead in the water”.
While most of the 8.5 tonne spacecraft will most burn up there some larger structures of the space craft that will hit the surface of the Earth, most probably in my back yard Australia.
There are other environmental aspects to be considered this space probe is perhaps the most toxic payload we had to content with.
The spacecraft carries a poisonous propellant consisting of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and dinitrogen tetroxide (DTO),around six tons of the stuff will hit the Earth’s atmosphere.
While the real environmental potential this substance will have as it hits the Earths atmosphere is yet to be evaluated the risk of contamination to humans is small unless it lands in a populated area.
It is estimated that only about 300kg of the craft to survive re-entry, but this far from comforting.
Phobos-Grunt is orbiting around Earth at an altitude ranging from 201km and up to 275km.
At this distance the probe will most likely fall anywhere between latitude 51 degrees north and latitude 51 degrees south, which covers the whole continent of Australia.
I guess it will get interesting in the Australian night skies in the next few weeks.
image credit: Ralf Vandebergh
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by CMoreStars
Astroearth
Camera Sense
Thank you for your kind thoughts.
I hope it will all burn up before it gets to the surface.
I will be watching from the safety of my bunker
just in case LOL