Space Junk

[LSPoorEeyorick]

OK, I have to admit: every time I see this thread title, I think of a naked astronaut. Check out the space junk!

[Capt Jack]

ok, so correct me if Im wrong but isnt this sort of why they built shuttles in the first place? to go up and retrieve or repair this sort of thing? not that Im not a huge fan of blowin stuff up just cuz...but, as memory serves, there is currently a shuttle in space...space being sorta where this non-op orbiting death object is?

yes?


/shrug

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Capt Jack

not that Im not a huge fan of blowin stuff up just cuz...but, as memory serves, there is currently a shuttle in space...space being sorta where this non-op orbiting death object is?

I'm pretty sure it would be impossible for the current mission to be diverted to retrieve the satellite (assuming it is small enough to fit inside if they did). The shuttles aren't exactly carrying a lot of extra fuel for spontaneous side trips.

I'd also think that 120 miles up is a bit lower than they'd be comfortable doing a long stay as that's about (I believe) 200 miles lower than the shuttle's normal low earth orbit.

And considering how stupidly expensive shuttle launches are it is probably still cheaper to just blow it up and start over with a new rocket launched satellite.

[Jazzman]

This is actually old news. This satellite malfunctioned a while ago and it's only now that it's been officially admitted to. But no, it has nothing to do with securing sensitive hardware. The full tank of propellant has always been a worry and the concern is that on burn up the tank might possibly make it through and rain fuel down. It's remote but possible and so they're taking measures to avoid the problem before it happens.

As for the shuttle, you're exactly right, but thank all of the space critics who cried for restricting it's use after Challenger and Columbia. Thanks to all of the belly aching it's basically a glorified commuter bus to the station and back now.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

The new news is that they're shooting it down.


I happened to hear an awesome sound bite on the radio today from the press conference (which I can't seem to find online). James Cartwright was trying to stress that yes, even if they didn't shoot it down, going through the atmosphere would take care of any information anyone could try to glean from the craft itself, "with the heating, and the burning..." The way he said it sounded a lot like this guy.



The only thing he didn't say was "with the GLAVIN!!!"

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

James Cartwright was trying to stress that yes, even if they didn't shoot it down, going through the atmosphere would take care of any information anyone could try to glean from the craft itself, "with the heating, and the burning..."

Yeah, sure Mr. Cartwright. *honk* *honk* tell me another one....

Originally Posted by Space Shuttle Columbia

One item recovered from the debris field was a videotape recording made by the astronauts during the start of re-entry. The video recording lasts for thirteen minutes and shows the flight crew astronauts conducting routine re-entry procedures and joking with each other, none of them giving any indication of a problem. The video shows the flight-deck crew putting on their gloves and passing the video camera around in order to take footage of plasma and flames visible outside the windows of the orbiter, and ends approximately four minutes prior to the start of the shuttle's disintegration.

They do not want this thing recovered (and with good reason)

[Ghoulish Delight]

And Monty Python?

[Snowflake]

visibile € mojo

[Kevy Baby]

Are you standing or sitting? It is hard to tell which one is supposed to be you. I always hate "left to right" when you have people sitting and standing.

[Not Afraid]

That's pics got Boss Radio, Strangler Lewis and Euro in it.