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