Hum Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Heads up! That's the word from NASA today (Sept. 7) given the impending re-entry of a 6.5-ton satellite through Earth's atmosphere. The huge Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in an uncontrolled fall in late September or early October. Much of the spacecraft is expected to burn up during re-entry, but some pieces are expected to make it intact to the ground, NASA officials said. The U.S. space agency will be taking measures to inform the public about the pieces of the spacecraft that are expected to survive re-entry. "It is too early to say exactly when UARS will re-enter and what geographic area may be affected, but NASA is watching the satellite closely and will keep you informed," NASA said in a statement released today (Sept. 7). One analysis of re-entry survivability for UARS components was performed several years ago with a software program called Object Re-entry Survival Analysis Tool, or ORSAT for short. That computer analysis showed that about 150 component types, including the parent body of the satellite, will demise during re-entry, and 12 types (26 counting multiple components) would endure the fiery fall to Earth. That appraisal indicated a surviving mass of 1,170 pounds (532 kilograms) falling within a debris footprint length of some 500 miles (800 kilometers). "The risk to public safety or property is extremely small, and safety is NASA's top priority." According to NASA, on UARS re-entry day, "if you find something you think may be a piece of UARS, do not touch it. Contact a local law enforcement official for assistance." more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muhammad Farrukh Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Holy... I hope it destroys the whole planet. Not a particular poor country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Patriot Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Holy... I hope it destroys the whole planet. Not a particular poor country. Seriously, you haven't got a clue do you? Its ONLY 6.5 tons, and the majority of it will disintegrate before even getting to the ground. It isn't going to "destroy the whole planet". Hell, pieces of meteors larger than that hit the Earth on a regular basis without doing much damage at all. Quite often they end up hitting the ocean (since it does make up 7/10th of the surface of the Earth). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muhammad Farrukh Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Seriously, you haven't got a clue do you? Its ONLY 6.5 tons, and the majority of it will disintegrate before even getting to the ground. It isn't going to "destroy the whole planet". Hell, pieces of meteors larger than that hit the Earth on a regular basis without doing much damage at all. Quite often they end up hitting the ocean (since it does make up 7/10th of the surface of the Earth). Just tryin' to lighten the mood up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick H. Supervisor Posted September 10, 2011 Supervisor Share Posted September 10, 2011 According to NASA, on UARS re-entry day, "if you find something you think may be a piece of UARS, do not touch it. Contact a local law enforcement official for assistance." Screw that, I want space-radiation powers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexcyn Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 lol "do not touch it" if you find a piece. I would touch it, yes I would. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hell-In-A-Handbasket Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 Yea be careful touching it,, remember the last time somebody touched something that fell out of space. The Fantastic 4 ( i think they touched something or flew through something ) and Black Suit Spiderman ( Venom ) The only thing i expect it to do is fireball and if it actually touched the ground, it will be ocean, not a kiddie pool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted September 10, 2011 Author Share Posted September 10, 2011 Don't worry -- pieces will only fall on Neobond's house. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 The big problem with a downed spacecraft is residual maneuvering thruster fuel. These fuels are hypergolic, meaning a fuel and oxidizer that ignite on contact with each other. The usual mix is monomethyl hydrazine, which is *extremely* toxic, and nitrogen tetroxide, a violent oxidizer that can set most anything on fire. These require very special handling just to gas a sat up before launch, and are why Shuttles couldn't be approached for at least an hour after landing - this to give residues left on its surfaces a chance to evaporate. Sadly, this witches brew has been the most effective mix. There is a new fuel in tests that isn't so risky; NOFBx, a single-fluid oxidizer/fuel blend of nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and either ethane, erhylene or acetylene with stabilizing agents. While still very flammable NOFBx isn't poisonous and is much easier & safer to handle. If it works as expected the developers are going to get very rich as every spacefaring nation on Earth will be at their door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 It's now expected to re-enter sometime between Sept. 22 and 24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User_Deleted Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Thanks for keeping us up-to-date Doc! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neoadorable Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 thanks Doc. and since when is 6.5 tons huge? it's just a satellite. nice scaremongering there. hopefully NASA won't get another littering ticket from that town in Australia... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 6.5 METRIC tons = 14,330 lbs and the size of a bus. Big pieces will survive re-entry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted September 17, 2011 Author Share Posted September 17, 2011 Remember kids: Don't pick up pieces of a satellite, until it has cooled off. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaze_Zewi Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 The U.S Military should use this opportunity for target practice. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiagosilva29 Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Where is it going to re-enter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted September 17, 2011 Author Share Posted September 17, 2011 ^ Above your house :shifty: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dotdot Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 **** this fire up SkyNet and have dem laZor beams take care of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiagosilva29 Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 ^ Above your house :shifty:My birthday is on the 25th. Let me have cake then kill me, space gods! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Uhhh....no. That would create way too much space junk. When the Navy blasted that satellite with an SM-3 it was a much smaller bird that was still loaded with toxic hypergolic fuels (monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide) making its debris potentially dangerous if humans picked up pieces or inhaled the fumes. This bird doesn't really pose that big a problem as it's been up since 1991 and used up its fuel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiagosilva29 Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 This bird doesn't really pose that big a problem.Says the guy with a Cold War bunker basement. (Y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Lyle Global Moderator Posted September 17, 2011 Global Moderator Share Posted September 17, 2011 The robots are fighting back, destroy everything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Patriot Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 6.5 METRIC tons = 14,330 lbs and the size of a bus. Big pieces will survive re-entry. Yeah, but that is still rather small compared to many of the other objects that fall to Earth on a regular basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomoko Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Ok Taco Bell, you know what to do. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Miller Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 So, is Nasa going to get done for littering? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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