Spy Satellite to Hit Earth by late February to March |
Spy Satellite to Hit Earth by late February to March |
Guest_Bobby_* |
Jan 27 2008, 04:47 AM
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Guests |
Just read at MSNBC that a large U.S. spy satellite will hit Earth by the end of February or early March.
Better keep our hard hats ready??? Here is the article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22857051/ |
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Feb 15 2008, 10:53 AM
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Merciless Robot Group: Admin Posts: 8784 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
I was wondering why they'd design the thing with such a massive load of scary nasty hazmat in a re-entry survivable container, but I get it. In an optimum end-of-mission scenario, what little NH4 would be left would be vented, if not entirely consumed by the deorbit maneuver, and the whole thing goes splash somewhere remote.
Hopefully this will cause some fail-safe redesigns; if that tank was empty (or could confidently be expected to burn up), nobody'd be worried. As is, can't be doing last-minute mods to missiles & scrambling to get Navy ships into position in time to frag errant birds; that must've cost a fortune already, and the meter's stll running! -------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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Feb 15 2008, 05:08 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 321 Joined: 6-April 06 From: Cape Canaveral Member No.: 734 |
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Feb 15 2008, 08:55 PM
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Merciless Robot Group: Admin Posts: 8784 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
That is standard spacecraft design. What do you think would happen to MSL or Phoenix if the upperstages didn't fire? Understood. However, these vehicles are designed to land on Mars, so reentry into Earth's atmosphere, while still a risk, isn't part of the planned mission timeline. I don't know if there's a material that could be used to hold NH4 (nasty, corrosive stuff that it is) and also assuredly distintegrate at a safe altitude, but seems like it's something that should be thought about. Titanium's wonderful stuff, but in this case it's too wonderful. -------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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