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!

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!

Not Afraid · 02-14-2008, 05:27 PM

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

LSPoorEeyorick · 02-14-2008, 05:38 PM

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 · 02-14-2008, 05:48 PM

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 · 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).

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
	Submit to Quotes

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.
	Submit to Quotes

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
	Submit to Quotes

02-14-2008, 04:04 PM	#5
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
	Submit to Quotes

02-14-2008, 05:26 PM	#6
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
	Submit to Quotes

02-14-2008, 05:27 PM	#7
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	Calling Euro's Sky Lab Crew.......
	Submit to Quotes

02-14-2008, 05:38 PM	#8
LSPoorEeyorick scribblin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in the moment Posts: 3,872	OK, I have to admit: every time I see this thread title, I think of a naked astronaut. Check out the space junk!
	Submit to Quotes

02-14-2008, 05:48 PM	#9
Capt Jack check your head Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,174	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 __________________ a clear conscience is a sure sign of a fuzzy memory
	Submit to Quotes