Space Junk

Moonliner · 02-14-2008, 03:19 PM

Old news: 5,000lbs US Satellite fails in orbit and is falling back to earth.

Today's news: The Pentagon is planning to blow it up with a missile before then.

Why?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Military brain

there's a small but real risk that the tank could rupture, releasing a "toxic gas" over a "populated area," causing a "risk to human life."

The regret factor of not acting clearly outweighed the regret factor of acting

*sniff sniff* What a guy! Trying to keep us all safe like that. I'm sure the idea of all the secret spy toys on that bird landing in say the middle of China had no effect on that decision at all.

Kevy Baby · 02-14-2008, 03:29 PM

How is that tin-foil hat of yours?

innerSpaceman · 02-14-2008, 03:40 PM

Gee if only we had that missle shield in place, we wouldn't have to worry about pesky falling satellites.

blueerica · 02-14-2008, 03:58 PM

So the combination is one, two, three, four, five? That's the stupidest combination I've ever heard in my life! The kind of thing an idiot would have on his luggage!

Morrigoon · 02-14-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueerica

So the combination is one, two, three, four, five? That's the stupidest combination I've ever heard in my life! The kind of thing an idiot would have on his luggage!

12345? That's the same combo I have on my luggage! Remind me to get that changed...

BarTopDancer · 02-14-2008, 04:04 PM

I want to go fly above the atmosphere and blow stuff up! That sounds like fun!

RStar · 02-14-2008, 05:26 PM

I wonder if we'll get the same kind of debris show like at the end of the movie "Independance Day"? That would be cool!

Alex · 02-14-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RStar

I wonder if we'll get the same kind of debris show like at the end of the movie "Independance Day"? That would be cool!

No, it's not nearly big enough and if the explosion is efficient enough most pieces won't be big enough (plus the odds of it reentering where you'd be able to see are relatively small).

More than preventing acquisition of top secret parts (probably not much since I imagine the good stuff is software based and I'd imagine they have ways of "self destructing" that) is the opportunity to practice shooting satellites. If nothing else it is reasonably well timed opportunity to show the Chinese we can still do it too (they shot one a couple years ago).

Not Afraid · 02-14-2008, 05:27 PM

Calling Euro's Sky Lab Crew.......

€uroMeinke · 02-15-2008, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Calling Euro's Sky Lab Crew.......

Time to call up the boys

(But Honestly, I was just thinking about DEVO

)

02-14-2008, 03:29 PM	#2
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	How is that tin-foil hat of yours? __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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02-14-2008, 03:40 PM	#3
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Gee if only we had that missle shield in place, we wouldn't have to worry about pesky falling satellites.
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02-14-2008, 03:58 PM	#4
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	So the combination is one, two, three, four, five? That's the stupidest combination I've ever heard in my life! The kind of thing an idiot would have on his luggage! __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
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02-14-2008, 04:04 PM	#6
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	I want to go fly above the atmosphere and blow stuff up! That sounds like fun! __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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02-14-2008, 05:26 PM	#7
RStar Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Me & Manyard hangin out! Posts: 5,433	I wonder if we'll get the same kind of debris show like at the end of the movie "Independance Day"? That would be cool! __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! www.StarTownGifts.com
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02-14-2008, 05:27 PM	#9
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	Calling Euro's Sky Lab Crew.......
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