bjorn_skurj Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Satellite could plummet to EarthA "large" US spy satellite has gone out of control and is expected to crash to Earth some time in late February or March, government sources say. Officials speaking on condition of anonymity said the satellite had lost power and propulsion, and could contain hazardous materials. The White House said it was monitoring the situation. A spokesman said "numerous" satellites had come out of orbit and fallen back to Earth harmlessly over the years. "We are looking at potential options to mitigate any possible damage this satellite may cause," said Gordon Johndroe, who speaks for the US National Security Council. Questioned by The Associated Press, he would not be drawn on whether the US would try to destroy the satellite, perhaps with a missile. An unnamed official quoted by AP said the US government was keeping lawmakers and other countries abreast of the situation. Fuel hazard The satellite contains the rocket fuel hydrazine, a government official told AP on condition of anonymity. A colourless liquid with an ammonia-like odour, the fuel is a toxic chemical and can cause harm to anyone who comes in contact with it. John Pike, director of the defence research group GlobalSecurity.org, said an uncontrolled re-entry could risk exposure of US secrets. Spy satellites typically are disposed of through a controlled re-entry into the ocean so that no one else can access the spacecraft, he was quoted by AP as saying. The military expert believes that shooting the satellite down would create debris that would then re-enter the atmosphere and burn up or hit the ground. In his estimate, the satellite weighs about 20,000 pounds (9,072kg) and is the size of a small bus. It is possible, he adds, that this one died as long as a year ago and is just now getting ready to re-enter the atmosphere. Another expert, Jeffrey Richelson of the National Security Archive, said the satellite is probably a photo reconnaissance satellite. Into the ocean AP notes that the largest uncontrolled re-entry by a US space agency (Nasa) craft was Skylab. The 78-tonne abandoned space station fell from orbit in 1979. Its debris dropped harmlessly into the Indian Ocean and across a remote section of western Australia, the US news agency says. In 2002, officials believe debris from a 7,000-pound (3,175-kg) science satellite hit the Earth's atmosphere. It rained down over the Gulf, a few thousand miles from where they first predicted it would crash. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twirm Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 where are you getting your information? i don't believe this for a second. gonna need more proof. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Bjorn is a newspaper man. I'm sure it came across the wire. It's in numerous papers worldwide:http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=...tnG=Search+News Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 So, what they Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dreamin' Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I remember my mom freaking out about Skylab when I was a kid. She wanted us to sleep in the basement of our house (as if that would have helped). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 where are you getting your information? i don't believe this for a second. gonna need more proof.BBC, punk. You need a few more posts before you start questioning my sources. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 where are you getting your information? i don't believe this for a second. gonna need more proof. A quick, simple Google search would have alleviated you of your doubts as to the veracity of Bjorn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 We Come In Peace, Shoot To Kill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twirm Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 BBC, punk. You need a few more posts before you start questioning my sources. the almighty has spoken! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
embiggen Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 the almighty has spoken! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twirm Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 that's probably your "action doll", isn't it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 that's probably your "action doll", isn't it?Doesn't really move around a lot, like GI Joe or Action Jackson. No kung fu grip either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Yeah, this was in the SF Chronicle yesterday morning. Not exactly ripped from the headlines of conspiracytheories-r-us.com. Anyway... I remember when Skylab was falling, my dad took us all out to the top of a hill in the middle of the night, one night when it was supposed to be passing over us and we were supposed to be able to see it. I don't remember if we saw it or not though, all I remember is being really cold out there. And as far as I can recall, it didn't land on us. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ction Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 My family is friends with many famous people and things, including Skylab. Yeah, but do you know Doug? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twirm Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 i hope it lands on my toe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Yeah, but do you know Doug?"Doug" is just a code name for Mike Farrell. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ction Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 "Doug" is just a code name for Mike Farrell. What does he think about censorship? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 I am a little disappointed that I can't get a "Skylab fell on my head and all I got was this stupid T-shirt" T-shirt. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twirm Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 you should be glad you can't get that t-shirt. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 you should be glad you can't get that t-shirt.You're kind of funny. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
embiggen Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 the pentagon wants to shoot it down Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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