Celestial Gazing

[Anonymous]

Cosmic debris is job security for the folks at NORAD. Anti-missile defense and satelite hunting are all parts of the same madness that let Skylab fall because we weren’t ready to share information/technology. Re-entry is still guesswork for uncontrolled objects. “Vonce rockets go up, who cares where they come down, dat’s not my department said Werner Von Braun.”

Generally speaking, that is correct. The problem is that a golf-ball sized piece of debris is utterly fatal due to the velocities involved. Thousands of little chunks vs. one big chunk is a problem (unless, of course, the big chunk lands on your head).

There was an interesting article on the shuttle in Nation Geographic a few years ago. The average shuttle windshield (which is 4″ thick) lasts something like 1.5 flights. The typical reason for replacement, according to National Geo, was that paint flecks would impact the windshield causing a pretty serious divit. Paint chips? Yipes!

[new2hprParticipant]

Incidentally, the reason for the attempt is supposedly the concern over hydrazine tanks. ….

I read that it was estimated to be 1000 gallons of hydrazine. Talk about a nasty rainstorm below. I’d think that if they at least burst the tank, most would burn up on reentry. But then again, I’m a rocket hobbiest, not a rocket scientist. 😉

Ken

[Jeffrey Joe HintonModerator]

USA 193 Shoot Down Attempt On Thursday
Satellite attack planned for Feb. 21 – right during the lunar eclipse?, The Cosmic Mirror

“A Notice to Airmen has been issued closing a zone near Maui for air traffic on the morning of Feb. 21 from 2:30 to 5:00 UTC – and the to-be-hit satellite USA 193 is crossing that very zone around 3:30 UTC. Furthermore it has been noted that this is during totality of the total lunar eclipse that night which may aid the optical tracking of faint fragments.”

Sources: Navy to shoot down failed satellite Thursday, CNN

“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.”

[SCOTT EVANS]

“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.”

Soooo…. Do these guys have thier L3 cert. for this shot??? 8)

[Author]

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