Feb
Thursday is Satellite Shootdown Day. Feb 21. Should be fun.
Posted by Reptoid as Mystery, UFO, USAUSAUSA, science
Original Link
# 5,000-pound satellite malfunctioned right after launch in December 2006
# It has a full tank of fuel and could dispense deadly fumes if it hits Earth
# If satellite falls to earth it could leave a cloud of fumes the size of 2 football fields
# Navy plans to fire at the satellite as it enters Earth’s atmosphere
Yep, your heard it right. They will shoot this thing down, and there is not much to do about it. Well, at least they promise that this thing will not do any damage right? Hey blow it somewhere else.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The U.S. Navy will likely attempt to shoot down a faulty spy satellite Thursday, the day after the space shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to land, two officials told CNN Monday.
The officials — who spoke on condition of anonymity because much of the planning remains classified — said the idea is to leave as much time as possible so a second attempt could be made if necessary. Because the 5,000-pound satellite malfunctioned immediately after launch in December 2006, it has a full tank of fuel. It would likely survive re-entry and disperse potentially deadly fumes over an area the size of two football fields, officials have said. The Navy plans to fire at the satellite as it enters Earth’s atmosphere at an altitude of about 150 miles. Officials want the missile to hit the edge of the atmosphere to ensure debris re-enters and burns up quickly. The Missile Defense Agency estimated the cost of a sea-based attempted intercept at $40 million to $60 million.
Without any intervention, Pentagon officials have said they believe the satellite would come down on its own in early March. The option of striking the satellite with a missile launched from an Aegis cruiser was decided upon by President Bush after consultation with several government and military officials and aerospace experts, said Deputy National Security Adviser James Jeffrey.
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said there’s nothing the military can do to make the outcome worse.
“If we miss, nothing changes. If we shoot and barely touch it, the satellite is just barely in orbit” and would still burn up somewhat in the atmosphere, Griffin said.
“If we shoot and get a direct hit, that’s a clean kill and we’re in good shape,” he added.
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Feb
Broken satellite will be shot down by the US SHIP, Hydrazine is Toxic, Great.
Posted by Reptoid as UFO, USAUSAUSA, politics, science
UPDATE HERE - US NAVY SHOOTING DOWN.
Hydrazine is highly toxic and dangerously unstable, especially in the anhydrous form. Symptoms of acute exposure to high levels of hydrazine in humans may include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, dizziness, headache, nausea, pulmonary edema, seizures, coma, and it can also damage the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. The liquid is corrosive and may produce dermatitis from skin contact in humans and animals. Effects to the lungs, liver, spleen, and thyroid have been reported in animals chronically exposed to hydrazine via inhalation. Increased incidences of lung, nasal cavity, and liver tumors have been observed in rodents exposed to hydrazine.
Well I guess it is always fun to practice shooting down these “missiles” and “targets” as they are good practice for the next world war, or nuke strike. I hope they can at least hit this toxic ufo, and bring it down without spreading this rocket fuel all over the creation. Hahah, it reminds me of the old Atari game Missile Command. Oh well good luck!
WASHINGTON - The Pentagon is planning to shoot down a broken spy satellite expected to hit the Earth in early March, The Associated Press has learned.
U.S. officials said Thursday that the option preferred by the Bush administration will be to fire a missile from a U.S. Navy cruiser, and shoot down the satellite before it enters Earth’s atmosphere.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the options will not be publicly discussed until a later Pentagon briefing.
The disabled satellite is expected to hit the Earth the first week of March. Officials said the Navy would likely shoot it down before then, using a special missile modified for the task.
Other details about the missile and the targeting were not immediately available. But the decision involves several U.S. agencies, including the National Security Agency, the Department of Homeland Defense and the State Department.
Shooting down a satellite is particularly sensitive because of the controversy surrounding China’s anti-satellite test last year, when Beijing shot down one of its defunct weather satellites, drawing immediate criticism from the U.S. and other countries.
A key concern at that time was the debris created by Chinese satellite’s destruction — and that will also be a focus now, as the U.S. determines exactly when and under what circumstances to shoot down its errant satellite.
The military will have to choose a time and a location that will avoid to the greatest degree any damage to other satellites in the sky. Also, there is the possibility that large pieces could remain, and either stay in orbit where they can collide with other satellites or possibly fall to Earth.
It is not known where the satellite will hit. But officials familiar with the situation say about half of the 5,000-pound spacecraft is expected to survive its blazing descent through the atmosphere and will scatter debris — some of it potentially hazardous — over several hundred miles. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
The satellite is outfitted with thrusters — small engines used to position it in space. They contain the toxic rocket fuel hydrazine, which can cause harm to anyone who contacts it.
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Feb
Enceladus, Saturn’s moon has water. German scientists explain.
Posted by Reptoid as Mystery, UFO, aliens, science
If this is true, that Saturn’s moon has water vapor, it would add to the growing list of potential planets with moons that have water or might have water. Jupiter’s Europa is also a potential canidate. I would love to think that there is water out there, as the randomness of Earth wouldn’t seem so random, but by a true miracle, a common element of many worlds, or at least a percentage of them.
Enceladus has a brilliant white shell of ice that is untouched except for some strange-looking grooves and impacts from space rocks.
Cassini revealed plumes of water vapour that gush from surface stripes near its south pole, shooting crystal jets upwards for hundreds of kilometres (miles) into space.
Fuelling discussion about the origin of these strange “cryo-volcanoes” is the fact that icy particles of dust are also mixed in with the eruptions, but beguilingly travel far slower than the vapour.
I find it interesting. I always wonder if in my lifetime, a mission will be sent to the outer limits of our own solar system in search of life. Even if it is microbial, it would be astonishing. May this lead to many missions. Maybe my grandchildren will be able to see this event.
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